THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 


Return  this  book  on  or  before  the 
Latest  Date  stamped  below.  A 
charge  is  made  on  all  overdue 
books. 

University  of  Illinois  Library 


MAR  2  0  19. 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY 

PUBLICATION  No.  249 
ZOOLOGICAL  SERIES  VOL.  XV 


THE  MARINE  FISHES  OF  PANAMA 

BY 

SETH  E.  MEEK 

Late  Assistant  Curator,  Department  of  Zoology 
AND 

SAMUEL  F.  HILDEBRAND 

U.  S.  Bureau  of  Fisheries 

PART  III 


WILFRED  H.  OSGOOD 

Curator,  Department  of  Zoology 

EDITOR 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
September  i,  1928 


.  PUBLICATIONS 


OF 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL 
HISTORY 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

MOV  10  1928 


UNIVERSITY 
ZOOLOGICAL  SERIES 

VOLUME  XV 
PART  III 


V 

NATURAL 
HISTORY 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
1928 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY 

PUBLICATION  No.  249 
ZOOLOGICAL  SERIES  VOL.  XV 


THE  MARINE  FISHES  OF  PANAMA 

BY 

SETH  E.  MEEK 

Late  Assistant  Curator,  Department  of  Zoology 
AND 

SAMUEL  F.  HILDEBRAND 

U.  S.  Bureau  of  Fisheries 

PART  III 


WILFRED  H.  OSGOOD 

Curator,  Department  of  Zoology 

EDITOR 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A 
September  i,   1928 


PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 
BY  FIELD  MUSEUM  PRESS 


is  I  -J 


CONTENTS  OF  PART  III 

Contents  of  Part  III      ..... 
List  of  Plates  in  Part  III 
List  of  new  Genera  and  Species  in  Part  III 
Index  to  Parts  I-III       ..... 


CLASSES,  ORDERS,  FAMILIES,  AND  GENERA  INCLUDED  IN 

PART  III 


Page 

Class  III.     TELEOSTOMI 
— Continued. 

Order  XIV.     ACANTHOPTERI 
— Continued 

Family  LXI.     Labridas 
THE  WRASSES 

187.  Bodianus  Bloch 710 

188.  Halichoeres  Riippell 714 

189.  Pseudojulis  Bleeker 725 

190.  Thalassoma  Swainson 726 

191.  Xyrichthys  Cuvier 729 

192.  Doratonotus  Giinther 730 

Family  LXII.     Scaridas 
THE  PARROT-FISHES 

193.  Cryptotomus  Cope 733 

194.  Scarus  Forskal 735 

195.  Pseudoscarus  Bleeker 744 

196.  Sparisoma  Swainson. ......  747 

Family  LXIII.     Ephippidas 
THE  SPADE-FISHES 

197.  Chaetodipterus  Lacepede..  .  760 

198.  Parapsettus  Steindachner. ..  763 

Family  LXIV.       Chastodontidae 
THE  BUTTERFLY-FISHES 

199.  Chaetodon  Linnaeus 765 

200.  Pomacanthus  Lacepede ....  772 

201.  Holacanthus  Lacepede 777 


Page 

Family  LXV.     Acanthuridae 
SURGEON-FISHES 

202.  Acanthurus  Forskal 781 

203.  Xesurus  Jord.  &  Everm. .  .  .     786 

Family  LXVI.     Balistidae 
THE  TRIGGER-FISHES 

204.  Balistes  Linnaeus 787 

205.  Canthidermis  Swainson ....      793 

Family  LXVII.     Monacanthidae 
THE  FILE-FISHES 

206.  Monacanthus  Oken 796 

207.  Cantherines  Swainson 800 

208.  Alutera  Oken 801 

Family  LXVIII.     Ostraciidae 
THE  TRUNK-FISHES 

209.  Lactophrys  Swainson 804 

Family  LXIX.      Tetraodontidae 
THE  PUFFERS 

210.  Lagocephalus  Swainson.  .  .  .  809 

211.  Sphoeroides  Dum6ril 811 

212.  Guentheridia  Gilb.  &  Starks  821 

213.  Tetraodon  Linnaeus 822 

214.  Canthigaster  Swainson 825 

Family  LXX.     Diodontidae 
THE  PORCUPINE-FISHES 


215.  Diodon  Linnaeus 826 

216.  Chilomycterus  Bibron 831 


XXV 


Page 

Family  LXXI.     Scorpaenidae 
THE  ROCK-FISHES 

217.  Scorpsena  Linnaeus  ........  833 

218.  Scorpsenodes  Linnaeus 845 

Family  LXXII.     Triglidas 
THE  GURNARDS 

219.  Prionotus  Lacgpede 848 

Family  LXXIII. 

Cephalacanthidas 

THE  FLYING  GURNARDS 

220.  Cephalacanthus  Lac^pede .  .  859 

Family  LXXIV.      Gobiidas 
THE  GOBIES 

221.  Gymneleotris  Bleeker 863 

222.  Erotelis  Poey 864 

223.  Lophogobius  Gill 866 

224.  Bathygobius  Bleeker 867 

225.  Tyntlastes  Gunther 869 

226.  Evorthodus  Gill 869 

227.  Microgobius  Poey 871 

228.  Euctenogobius  Gill 874 

229.  Gobionellus  Girard 876 

230.  Bollmannia  Jordan 885 

231.  Aboma  Jordan  &  Starks.  .  . .  887 

232.  Enypnias  Jord.  &  Everm...  .  887 

233.  Gerhardinus  gen.  nov 889 

234.  Garmannia  Jordan 889 

235.  Gobiosoma  Girard 891 

236.  Evermannia  Jordan 891 

237.  Gobioides  Lacepede 894 

Family  LXXV.     Echeneididae 
THE  REMORAS 

238.  Phtheirichthys  Gill 895 

239.  Echeneis  Linnaeus 896 

240.  Remora  Gill 897 

Family  LXXVI. 

Opisthognathidae 

THE  JAW-FISHES 

241.  Opisthognathus  Cuvier 900 

Family  LXXVII. 

Dactyloscopidae 

THE  SAND  STAR-GAZERS 

242.  Dactyloscopus  Gill 902 

243.  Dactylagnus  Gill 904 

244.  Cokeridia  gen.  nov 905 


Page 

Family  LXXVIII. 
Uranoscopidas 
THE  STAR-GAZERS 

245.  Astroscopus  Brevoort 907 

246.  Kathetostoma  Gunther 909 

Family  LXXIX,    Batrachoididae 
THE  TOAD-FISHES 

247.  Batrachoides  Lacepede. ....  911 

248.  Opsanus  Rafinesque 917 

249.  Amphichthys  Swainson 918 

250.  Thalassophryne  Gunther.  .  .  919 

251.  Porichthys  Girard 922 

Family  LXXX.     Gobiesocidas 
THE  CLING-FISHES 

252.  Gobiesox  Lacepede 925 

253.  Arbaciosa  Jord.  &  Everm. .  .     926 

Family  LXXXI.     Blenriiidae 
THE  BLENNIES 

254.  Auchenopterus  Gunther. .  .  .  930 

255.  Mnierpes  Jord.  &  Everm....  933 

256.  Dialommus  Gilbert 934 

257.  Labrisomus  Swainson 935 

258.  Malacoctenus  Gill 938 

259.  Blennius  Linnaeus 940 

260.  Hypsoblennius  Gill 942 

261.  Homesthes  Gilbert 947 

262.  Rupiscartes  Swainson 948 

263.  Salarichthys  Guichenot 949 

264.  Salarias  Cuvier 951 

265.  Emblemaria  Jord.  &  Gilb. .  .  952 

Family  LXXXII.      Cerdalidse 

266.  Microdesmus  Gunther 954 

267.  Cerdale  Jord.  &  Gilb 958 

Family  LXXXIII.       Ophidiidae 
THE  CUSK  EELS 

268.  Lepophidium  Gill 960 

269.  Otophidium  Gill 961 

Family  LXXXIV.    Carapidae 
THE  PEARL-FISHES 


270.  Carapus  Rafinesque 963 

271.  Leptofierasfer  gen.  nov 964 


XXVI 


Page 


Family  LXXXV.     Brotulidse 

272.  Ogilbia  Jord.  &  Everm 965 

273.  Pseudobythites  gen.  nov...  .     968 


Family  LXXXVI. 
Bregmacerotidas 

274.  Bregmaceros  Thompson .  . . 

Family  LXXXVII. 
Pleuronectidae 

THE  FLOUNDERS 

275.  Pseudorhombus  Sleeker. .  . 

276.  Hippoglossina  Steind 

277.  Paralichthys  Girard 

278.  Engyophrys  Jord.  &  Bollm. 

279.  Platophrys  Swainson 

280.  Syacium  Ranzani 

281.  Citharichthys  Sleeker 

282.  Azevia  Jordan 

283.  Cyclopsetta  Gill 

284.  Etropus  Jord.  &  Gilb 


969 


971 
973 
974 
975 
977 
980 

985 
990 

991 
992 


Page 

Family  LXXXVIII.   Soleidse 
THE  SOLES 

285.  Achirus  Lacepede 994 

286.  Apionichthys  Kaup 1003 

287.  Symphurus  Rafinesque 1004 

Order  XV.    Pediculati 

Family  LXXXIX. 

Antennariidse 

THE  FROG-FISHES 

288.  Histrio  Fischer 1010 

289.  Antennarius  Commerson .  .  .    ion 

Family  XC.     Ogcocephalidae 
THE  BAT-FISHES 

290.  Ogcocephalus  Fischer 1016 

291.  Zalieutes  Jord.  &  Everm... .    1018 


XXVII 


Opposite 
Page 

LXXII.     Fig.  i.     Scarus  azureus  sp.  nov. 

Fig.  2.     Scarus  nigrescens  sp.  nov.  .  t 742 

LXXIII.     Fig.  i.     Sparisoma  radians  (Cuvier  &  Valen- 
ciennes), male. 

Fig.  2.     Sparisoma  radians  (Cuvier  &  Valen- 
ciennes) ,  female 750 

LXXIV.     Fig.  i.     Sparisoma  rhomaleum  sp.  nov . 

Fig.  2.     Sparisoma  elongatum  sp.  nov 754 

LXXV.     Chaetodipterus  faber  (Broussonet) 760 

LXXVI.     Chaetodipterus  zonatus   (Girard) 762 

LXXVII.     Sphoeroides  marmoratus  (Ranzani)  (a)  Dorsal 

outline 812 

LXXVIII.     Fig.  i.     Sphoeroides  annulatus  (Jenyns). 

Fig.  2.     Sphoeroides  testudineus    (Linnaeus).  816 

LXXIX.     Sphoeroides  kendalli  sp.  nov 818 

LXXX.     Scorpaena  isthmensis  sp.  nov 842 

LXXXI.     Fig.  i.     Scorpaena  colonensis  sp.  nov. 

Fig.  2.     Scorpaenodes  xyris  (Jordan  &  Gilbert)  844 

LXXXII.     Scorpaenodes  caribbaeus  sp.  nov 846 

LXXXIII.     Prionotus  aspersus  sp.  nov 856 

LXXXIV.     Evorthodus  minutus  sp.  nov 872 

LXXXV.     Microgobius  tabogensis  sp.  nov 872 

LXXXVI.     Euctenogobius  panamensis  sp.  nov 876 

LXXXVII.     Euctenogobius  liolepis  sp.  nov 876 

LXXXVIII.     Gerhardinus  nudus  sp.  nov 888 

LXXXIX.     Cokeridia  crossota  gen.  et  sp.  nov 904 

XC.     Batrachoides  gilberti  sp.  nov 912 

XCI.     Opsanus  barbatus  sp.  nov 916 

XCII.     Arbaciosa  minuta  sp.  nov.   (a)  Ventral  outline  928 
XCIII-i  Fig.  i.     Auchenopterus  affinis  (Steindacher). 
Fig.  2.     Auchenopterus  monophthalmus 

Giinther 932 

XCIV.     Fig.  i.     Labrisomus  nuchipinnis  (Quoy  & 

Gaimard) . 
Fig.  2.     Labrisomus  xanti  Gill 936 

XCV.     Fig.  i.     Malacoctenus  delalandii  (Cuvier  & 

Valenciennes) . 

XXIX 


c. 

CI. 
CII. 


Fig.  2.     Malacoctenus  zonifer  (Jordan  & 

Gilbert) 

XCVI.  Fig.  i.  Hypsoblennius  minutus  sp.  nov. 
Fig.  2.  Hypsoblennius  lignus  sp.  nov. .  . 
Emblemaria  nigra  sp.  nov. 


XCVII. 

Emble 

XCVIII. 

Fig.  i. 

Fig.  2. 

Fig.  3- 

XCIX. 

Fig.  i. 

Fig.    2. 

Opposite 
Page 


938 

944 
954 


Microdesmus  affinis  sp.  nov. 

Microdesmus  intermedius  sp.  nov. 

Microdesmus  multiradiatus  sp.  nov..       954 

Leptofierasfer  macrurus  gen.  et  sp.  nov. 

Pseudobythites  sanguineus  gen. 

et  sp.  nov 964 

Citharichthys  evermanni  sp.  nov 988 

Fig.  i.     Achirus  lineatus  (Linnaeus) . 

Fig.  2.     Achirus  mazatlanus  (Steindachner) .  .       998 

Fig.  i.     Achirus  fimbriatus  (Giinther) . 

Fig.  2.     Achirus  fluviatilis  sp.  nov 1000 


XXX 


Page 

Gerhardinus 889 

Cokeridia 905 

Leptofierasfer 964 

Pseudobythites 968 

NEW  SPECIES 

Scarus  azureus 742 

Scarus  nigrescens 743 

Sparisoma  rhomaleum 754 

Sparisoma  elongatum 757 

Sphceroides  kendalli 819 

Scorpaena  isthmensis             842 

Scorpaena  colonensis              844 

Scorpaenodes  caribbaeus 847 

Prionotus  aspersus 856 

Evorthodus  minutus 870 

Microgobius  tabogensis 873 

Euctenogobius  panamensis 874 

Euctenogobius  liolepis 875 

Gerhardinus  nudus 889 

Cokeridia  crossota 906 

Batrachoides  gilberti             .        .        .        '.       .       .       .       .  914 

Opsanus  barbatus 917 

Arbaciosa  minuta           928 

Hypsoblennius  minutus 943 

Hypsoblennius  lignus            946 

Emblemaria  nigra          . 953 

Microdesmus  af finis 955 

Microdesmus  intermedius            957 

Microdesmus  multiradiatus 958 

Leptofierasfer  macrurus 964 

Pseudobythites  sanguineus 968 

Citharichthys  evermanni       * 989 

Achirus  fluviatilis  1002 


XXXI 


THE  MARINE  FISHES  OF  PANAMA. 

BY  SETH  E.  MEEK  AND   SAMUEL  F.  HILDEBRAND. 

PART  III. 


Class  III.    TeleOStomi — Continued. 

Order  XIV.     Acanthopteri — Continued. 

Family  LXI.    Labridse. 

THE  WRASSES. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate;  mouth  moderate,  terminal;  lips  thick, 
the  lower  one  usually  with  a  lateral  flap;  premaxillaries  protractile; 
maxillary  without  a  supplemental  bone,  slipping  under  preorbital; 
nostrils  round,  with  2  openings  on  each  side;  teeth  in  the  jaws  strong, 
separate  or  more  or  less  coalescent  at  base,  never  forming  a  continuous 
plate;  the  anterior  teeth  usually  canine-like;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or 
palatines ;  lower  pharyngeals  completely  united  into  one  bone,  the  teeth 
conical  or  tubercular;  branchiostegals  5  or  6;  pseudobranchiae  well 
developed;  gills  3^2,  the  slit  behind  the  last  arch  small  or  obsolete;  gill- 
membranes  somewhat  connected,  sometimes  joined  to  the  isthmus;  scales 
large,  cycloid;  lateral  line  continuous  or  interrupted,  often  abruptly 
bent ;  dorsal  fin  continuous,  its  spines  slender,  3  to  20  in  number ;  anal 
similar  to  soft  portion  of  dorsal,  with  2  to  6  spines;  ventrals  thoracic, 
inserted  below  pectorals,  with  I,  5  rays ;  air  bladder  present ;  no  pyloric 
caeca. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA.* 

a.  Dorsal  spines  12;  lateral  line  complete  and  continuous,  without 
abrupt  curve.  Bodianus,  p.  710. 

aa.     Dorsal  spines  8  or  9;  lateral  line  either  curved  abruptly  down- 
ward or  interrupted  posteriorly. 

b.  Cheeks  and  opercles  entirely  scaleless;  lateral  line  not  inter- 
rupted, but  with  an  abrupt  downward  curve  posteriorly. 

c.  Dorsal  spines  constantly  9. 


*Since  these  pages  were  prepared,  Henry  W.  Fowler  (Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila., 
I9I7>  P-  *33)  has  recorded  a  genus  and  species,  Lachnolaimus  maximus  (Wal- 
baum)  from  Colon,  not  obtained  by  us. 

709 


710  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

d.  Upper  jaw  with  a  well  developed  canine  tooth  posteriorly  on 
each  side,  near  angle  of  mouth ;  anteriorly  with  2  canines ;  lower 
jaw  with  4  canines.  Halichceres,  p.  714. 

dd.     Posterior  canines  wanting;  upper  jaw  anteriorly  with  2  canines; 

lower  jaw  with  2  to  4  canines.  Pscudojulis,  p.  725. 

cc.     Dorsal  spines  constantly  8 ;  no  posterior  canines. 

Thalassoma,  p.  726. 
bb.     Cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  at  least  under  and  back  of  eyes ; 

lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly,  reappearing  on  middle  of 

caudal  peduncle. 

e.  Head   short  and   deep,   its  anterior  profile  nearly  vertical   in 
adult,  compressed  into  a  sharp  edge ;  preorbital  extremely  deep ; 
snout  little  in  advance  of  forehead;  dorsal  fin  continuous,  the 
spines  graduated,  nearly  of  equal  length.         Xyrichthys,  p.  729. 

ee.  Head  rather  long  and  low,  its  anterior  profile  not  steep,  straight 
or  concave,  not  compressed  into  a  sharp  edge;  preorbital  rather 
narrow ;  snout  long  and  sharply  pointed ;  anterior  spines  of 
dorsal  elevated,  longer  than  the  succeeding  ones,  making  the 
margin  of  the  fin  concave.  Doratonotus,  p.  730. 

187.  Genus  Bodianus  Bloch. 

Bodianus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  IV,  1790,  48  (type  Bodianus 

bodianus  Bloch). 
Harpe  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  426,  PI.  VIII,  fig.  2  (type 

Harpe  cceruleoaureus  Lacepede). 
Cossyphus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII,  1839,  IO2 

(type  Bodianus  bodianus  Bloch;  name  preoccupied). 

Body  rather  robust,  moderately  compressed;  the  back  moderately 
elevated;  head  pointed  in  young,  becoming  more  and  more  blunt  with 
age,  large  scales  with  a  prominent  fleshy  pad  on  forehead ;  mouth  rather 
large ;  jaws  about  equal ;  teeth  strong ;  each  jaw  anteriorly  with  4  canines ; 
upper  jaw  posteriorly  with  a  single  pair  of  canines;  other  teeth  short, 
coalescent  at  base;  lateral  line  complete  and  continuous;  scales  large, 
little  reduced  on  chest,  extending  up  on  base  of  soft  rays  of  dorsal  and 
anal  and  forming  a  sheath ;  cheek,  opercle  and  preopercle  scaly ;  dorsal 
with  12  low  spines,  the  median  soft  rays  produced  in  adult;  caudal 
truncate  in  young,  concave  in  adult  with  the  outer  rays  produced; 
anal  with  3  rather  strong  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of 
dorsal;  ventrals  inserted  below  base  of  pectorals;  vertebrae  n  -f-  I7 
=  28. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       711 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  profile  of  head  straight  or  slightly  convex  at  all  ages, 
never  concave;  gill-rakers  10  or  n  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch; 
sides  without  black  bands  or  yellow  bar;  tip  of  pectorals  pale. 

rufus,  p.  711. 

aa.  Dorsal  profile  of  head  more  or  less  concave,  except  in  very 
young;  large  males  with  a  prominent  fleshy  pad  on  forehead; 
gill-rakers  12  or  13  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  sides  in  female 
with  2  distinct,  black,  longitudinal  bands;  male  with  a  yellow 
vertical  bar  on  sides  passing  over  abdomen  just  in  front  of  vent ; 
tip  of  pectorals  black.  diplotania,  p.  712. 

516.    Bodianus  rufus  (Linnaeus). 

Labrus  rufus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  284  (America). 

Perro  Colorado  Parra,  Desc.  Piezas  de  Hist.  Nat.,  1787,  3,  PI.  Ill,  fig.  I 

(Havana). 
Bodianus  bodianus  Bloch,   Naturg.  Ausl.   Fische,    IV,    1790,   33,   PI. 

CCXXIII  (Brazil ;  after  a  drawing  by  Prince  Maurice). 
Lut janus  verres  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  V,  1791,  9,  PI.  CCLV 

(locality  unknown). 
Sparus  falcatus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  V,  1791,  20,  PI.  CCLVIII 

(after  a  drawing  by  Plumier  made  at  Martinique). 
Labrus  semiruber  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  Ill,   1802,  428   (Rio 

de  Janeiro ;  from  notes  by  Commerson) . 
Bodianus  blochii  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,   1803,  279   (after 

Bodianus  bodianus  Bloch). 
Harpe  coerulea-aureus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  426  & 

427,  PI.  VIII,  fig.  2  (Martinique;  from  the  drawing  of  Plumier 

used  by  Bloch). 
Cossyphus  bodianus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII, 

1839,  I03- 

Cossyphus  verres  Castelnau,  Anim.  Nouv.  Rares  Amer.  Sud.,  1855,  27. 
Cossyphus  rufus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  108. 
Harpe  rufus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  222. 
Bodianus  rufus  Poey,  Repertorio,  II,  1868,  331. 
Harpe  rufa  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891),  629; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1583. 

Head  3.1  to  3.5;  depth  2.85  to  3.43;  D.  XII,  10  or  n  ;  A.  Ill,  n 
to  13;  scales  33  to  35. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  dorsal  profile  anteriorly  nearly  straight 
or  slightly  convex,  not  concave  over  snout ;  head  rather  strongly  com- 


712     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

pressed;  snout  sharply  pointed,  its  length  2.38  to  2.94  in  head;  eye 
4.8  to  6.4 ;  mouth  moderate,  slightly  oblique,  the  gape  reaching  anterior 
margin  of  orbit;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  concealed  by  the  wide  pre- 
orbital,  its  length  2.36  to  2.93  in  head;  teeth  strong,  each  jaw  anteriorly 
with  4  canines;  upper  jaw  posteriorly  with  a  single  pair  of  strong 
canines  directed  forward;  other  teeth  short,  more  or  less  coalescent 
at  base;  gill-rakers  scarcely  one-fourth  the  length  of  eye,  10  or  n 
on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  lateral  line  complete  and  continuous,  the 
anterior  pores  with  2  or  3  branches;  scales  large,  little  reduced  on 
chest,  extending  on  base  of  soft  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal ;  dorsal  spines 
short  and  strong,  the  longest  slightly  longer  than  eye,  separate  or 
slightly  connected  at  base  by  membrane,  the  last  one  attached  to  soft 
rays;  the  middle  rays  of  soft  portion  produced  in  adult,  the  longest 
ray  reaching  slightly  past  base  of  caudal  in  largest  specimen  at  hand ; 
caudal  in  young  truncate,  distinctly  concave  in  adult,  the  outer  rays 
produced,  nearly  twice  as  long  as  the  middle  rays  in  large  specimens ; 
anal  spines  similar  to  dorsal  spines,  the  longest  nearly  as  long  as  snout, 
the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals  notably  longer 
than  pectorals,  reaching  to  or  past  vent;  pectorals  moderate,  1.23  to 
1.45  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  anteriorly  rather  dark  brown,  becoming  paler 
posteriorly;  a  large  dark  area  under  base  of  dorsal  and  a  smaller 
area  at  base  of  anal;  caudal  peduncle  rather  pale  olivaceous;  dorsal 
dusky  or  black,  except  the  posterior  4  or  5  rays  which  are  pale ;  caudal 
brown  or  dusky  with  pale  margin;  anal  colored  similar  to  dorsal; 
ventrals  black  with  outer  rays  pale ;  pectorals  dusky  at  base,  otherwise 
pale. 

Of  this  species  only  2  specimens  were  obtained,  respectively  245 
and  275  mm.  in  length.  We  also  examined  specimens  from  Bermuda, 
Cuba,  San  Domingo,  Barbadoes  and  Bahia,  Brazil.  The  above  descrip- 
tion is  based  on  specimens  ranging  in  length  from  175  to  340  mm. 

Known  from  Florida  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from  the  Colon 
market  and  Porto  Bello. 

517.  Bodianus  diplotaenia  (Gill). 

Harpe  diplotania  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  140  (Cape  San 
Lucas;  female)  ;  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 
629;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  144  (Pana- 
ma Bay). 

Harpe  pectorallis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  141  (Cape  San 
Lucas;  male). 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       713 

Cossyphus  pectoralis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  no. 
Cossyphus  diplotania  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  no. 
Bodianus  pectoralis  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  384. 
Bodianus  diplotcenia  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  384. 
Bodianus  diplotanius  Snodgrass  &  Heller,  Proc.  Wash.  Ac.  Sci.,  VI, 
1904  (1905),  391  (Cocos,  Clipperton  and  Galapagos  islands)  ;  Ken- 
dall &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  137 
(Taboguilla  Island,  Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.1  to  3.45;  depth  2.73  to  3.25;  D.  XII,  10  or  n  ;  A.  Ill,  12 
to  14 ;  scales  34  or  35. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  dorsal  profile  in  young  gently  convex, 
concave  over  snout  in  adult ;  large  males  with  a  prominent  fleshy  pad 
on  forehead  over  eyes;  head  rather  short,  strongly  compressed;  snout 
sharply  pointed,  at  least  in  young,  its  length  2.25  to  2.6  in  head;  eye 
5.15  to  6.9;  mouth  moderate,  slightly  oblique,  the  gape  not  quite  reach- 
ing anterior  margin  of  orbit;  jaws  about  equal;  maxillary  largely 
covered  by  the  broad  preorbital,  2.6  to  3.1  in  head;  teeth  strong,  each 
jaw  anteriorly  with  4  canines;  the  inner  pair  on  upper  jaw  slightly 
the  larger,  on  lower  jaw  the  outer  pair  much  the  larger;  upper  jaw 
posteriorly  with  a  single  pair  of  canines  directed  forward;  the  other 
teeth  short  and  coalescent  at  base;  gill-rakers  less  than  a  fourth  the 
length  of  eye,  12  or  13  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  lateral  line  com- 
plete and  continuous,  the  anterior  pores  with  2  or  3  branches;  scales 
large,  little  reduced  on  chest,  extending  on  base  of  soft  rays  of  dorsal 
and  anal;  dorsal  spines  short,  the  longest  about  the  length  of  eye, 
separate  or  slightly  connected  by  membrane  at  base,  each  enveloped 
in  a  heavy  dermal  coat,  the  last  one  connected  with  the  soft  rays,  the 
middle  rays  of  soft  portion  produced  in  adult,  longest  ray  reaching 
well  past  base  of  caudal  in  our  largest  male ;  caudal  truncate  in  young, 
distinctly  concave  in  adult,  with  the  outer  rays  much  produced,  more 
than  twice  the  length  of  the  middle  rays  in  large  males;  anal  spines 
similar  to  those  of  dorsal,  the  last  one  equal  to  length  of  snout,  the 
median  soft  rays  produced  in  adult,  usually  somewhat  longer  than  the 
produced  rays  of  dorsal;  ventrals  rather  longer  than  pectorals,  reaching 
nearly  or  quite  to  vent;  pectorals  moderate,  1.32  to  1.43  in  head. 

Color  of  male  in  life  pale  brown,  with  little  red  on  sides  of  head, 
also  between  pectorals  and  ventrals,  and  a  reddish  area  about  base  of  anal ; 
chest  greenish;  sides  with  a  yellow  bar  at  tip  of  pectorals,  extending 
from  slightly  above  lateral  line  downward  across  abdomen  and  becom- 
ing quite  obscure  just  in  front  of  vent;  spinous  portion  of  dorsal  with 
dusky  base  and  reddish  margin,  the  anterior  soft  rays  black,  the  posterior 


714  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

ones  with  black  base,  otherwise  red ;  base  of  caudal  and  produced  rays 
with  more  or  less  dusky,  the  rest  of  fin  red ;  anal  fin  colored  like  dorsal ; 
ventrals  black  with  red  margin ;  pectorals  deep  red  with  black  tip.  This 
color  description  is  based  on  a  large  specimen,  480  mm.  in  length. 

Color  of  female  in  life  anteriorly  reddish  brown,  this  color  gradu- 
ally shading  into  a  yellowish  brown  posteriorly ;  a  black  band  beginning 
on  snout,  running  through  eye,  and  divided  into  2  bands  just  behind 
the  eye,  the  upper  one  running  along  back  above  lateral  line,  the  lower 
one  directed  slightly  downward  anteriorly,  assuming  a  median  line  of 
the  body,  both  bands  posteriorly  broken  up  into  more  or  less  distinct 
spots ;  another  black  band  extending  from  angle  of  mouth  to  margin  of 
preopercle;  base  of  caudal  with  2  distinct  black  spots,  one  above  and 
one  below  lateral  line;  dorsal  spines  dusky  at  base,  otherwise  red; 
anterior  rays  of  dorsal  dusky,  posterior  rays  yellowish,  produced  ray 
red ;  outer  rays  of  caudal  reddish,  the  remainder  of  fin  yellow ;  ventrals 
rather  dark  red;  pectorals  of  a  slightly  paler  red.  This  color  descrip- 
tion of  the  female  is  based  on  a  specimen  300  mm.  in  length.  No  marked 
difference  in  color  between  the  young  and  adult  female  appears  to  exist. 

Of  this  species  we  have  13  specimens,  5  males  and  8  females;  the 
former  range  in  length  from  350  to  480  mm.;  the  latter  from  55  to 
300  mm. 

Known  from  Cape  San  Lucas  to  the  Galapagos  Islands  and  from 
the  coast  of  Peru.  Our  specimens  are  from  Panama  Bay  at  Balboa. 

188.  Genus  Halichoeres  Riippell. 

Halichceres  Riippell,  Neue  Wirbelthiere,  1835,  14   (type  Halichceres 

bimaculatus  Riippell). 
Hemiulis  Swainson,   Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.   Fish.,   II,    1839,  228    (type 

Labrus  guttatus  Bloch). 

Chcerojulis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  142  (type  Julis  semi- 
cine  tus  Ayres). 

flridio  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.   S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,   1895 
(1896),  412  (type  Labrus  radiatus  Linnaeus). 
Body  oblong,  compressed;  head  compressed,  conic;  mouth  mod- 
erate; preopercle  entire;  teeth  strong,  upper  jaw  anteriorly  with  2 
large  canines,  and  a  single  pair  posteriorly  near  angle  of  mouth ;  lower 
jaw  anteriorly  with  4  strong  canines,  none  posteriorly;   gill-rakers 
poorly  developed,  short  and  feeble;  gill-membranes  slightly  joined  to 
the  isthmus ;  scales  large,  more  or  less  reduced  on  breast,  25  to  30  in 
lateral   series;   head   entirely   naked;   lateral   line   complete,   abruptly 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       715 

curved  downward  posteriorly ;  dorsal  with  9  spines ;  anal  with  3  spines ; 
ventrals  inserted  under  axil  of  pectorals;  vertebrae  10  -f-  15  =  25. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Sides  with  a  dark  lateral  band,  at  least  in  young ;  adult  without 
black  blotch  or  bar  on  sides  under  spinous  portion  of  dorsal, 
nor  with  a  small  black  spot  at  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal. 

b.  Dark  lateral  band  persistent,  broad,  rather  ill-defined,  extending 
from  eye  to  tip  of  caudal  fin;  a  bluish  band,  nearly  as  wide  as 
eye,  extending  from  eye  to  nape;  dorsal  fin  deep  indigo,  with 
pale  margin.  cyanocephalus,  p.  716. 

bb.  Dark  lateral  band  disappearing  with  age,  when  present  rather 
narrow,  never  extending  beyond  base  of  caudal ;  head  in  adult 
with  several  bluish  lines;  a  narrow  one,  about  the  width  of 
pupil,  extending  from  eye  to  nape;  dorsal  plain  yellowish  red 
in  young;  in  adult  with  a  narrow  blue  stripe  at  base,  above 
with  many  blue  spots.  radiatus,  p.  717. 

aa.  Sides  never  with  a  dark  lateral  band ;  a  dark  blotch  or  bar  on 
sides  under  spinous  portion  of  dorsal,  or  a  small  round  spot 
at  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal  usually  present,  at  least  in  adult. 

c.  Color  rather  bright  green;  a  prominent  black  spot  just  back 
of  eye,  and  a  small  one  at  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal;  base  of 
pectoral  with  a  very  narrow  brownish  cross-bar;  sides  of  head, 
in  life,  with  several  reddish  bands;  no  dark  bar  or  blotch  on 
sides  of  body.  kirschii,  p.  720. 

cc.  Color  somewhat  darker;  no  black  spot  back  of  eye  or  at  base 
of  last  ray  of  dorsal;  a  black  blotch  or  cross-bar  on  sides, 
except  sometimes  in  very  young. 

d.  Pores  in  lateral  line  not  branched;  a  black  blotch  in  lateral 
line  below  sixth  and  seventh  dorsal  spines ;  young  with  a  distinct 
caudal  spot.  dispilus,  p.  721. 

dd.  Pores  in  anterior  part  of  lateral  line  distinctly  branched;  a 
black  bar  on  sides  under  spinous  portion  of  dorsal,  except  in 
very  young;  caudal  spot  wanting. 

e.  Body  with  a  more  or  less  reddish  hue,  at  least  on  chest  and 
abdomen ;  a  conspicuous  black  bar  under  base  of  fifth  to  seventh 
dorsal  spines  present  in  adult,  ill-defined  or  entirely  wanting 
in  young ;  scales,  in  young,  with  dark  centers  are  grouped  so  as  to 
form  several  more  or  less  distinct  blotches  on  sides  of  fish. 

sellifer,  p.  722. 


716  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

ee.     Body  without  reddish  hue;  the  bar  on  sides  less  conspicuous 
and  slightly  more  anteriorly  placed;  the  young  unknown. 

nicholsi,  p.  724. 

518.  Halichoeres  cyanocephalus  (Bloch). 

Labrus  cyanocephalus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  V,  1791,  139,  PI. 

CCLXXXVI  (locality  unknown,  probably  Surinam). 
Julis  dimidiatus  Agassiz,  in  Spix,   Pise.   Brasil.,   1831,  96,   PI.  LIII 

(Brazil). 
Icthycallus  dimidiatus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  232 

(name  only). 

Julis  internasalis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  421  (Havana). 
Platyglossus  internasalis  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  164. 
Cheer o julis  internasalis  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.*,  1868,  334. 
Platyglossus  dimidiatus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  45. 
Halichoeres  dimidiatus  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887 

(1891),  644. 
Iridio  cyanoicephalus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.   S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1594. 

Head  4.15  to  4.23;  depth  3.6  to  3.8;  D.  IX,  n  or  12;  A.  Ill,  12; 
scales  27. 

Body  rather  slender,  compressed;  anterior  profile  rather  steep, 
reaching  the  height  of  back  slightly  back  of  vertical  from  posterior 
margin  of  eye;  head  short,  compressed;  snout  blunt,  its  length  2.45  to 
2.9  in  head;  eye  5.13  to  5.78;  mouth  moderate,  the  gape  reaching  about 
to  anterior  margin  of  eye;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  mostly  covered  by 
the  wide  preorbital,  3.25  to  3.4  in  head;  teeth  in  jaws  strong,  upper 
jaw  anteriorly  with  a  pair  of  large  canines,  posteriorly  near  angle  of 
mouth  with  a  pair  of  slightly  smaller  ones ;  lower  jaw  anteriorly  with 
4  strong  canines,  none  posteriorly;  other  teeth  short,  coalescent  at 
base;  gill-rakers  very  short,  about  10  more  or  less  developed  on  lower 
limb  of  first  arch;  lateral  line  complete,  curved  abruptly  downward 
under  last  rays  of  dorsal,  the  anterior  pores  branched;  scales  large, 
not  greatly  reduced  on  chest,  not  crossing  median  line  of  back;  head 
naked;  dorsal  spines  short,  the  soft  rays  not  produced;  caudal  fin 
slightly  rounded  in  specimens  at  hand;  ventral  moderate,  the  outer 
ray  somewhat  produced,  reaching  about  two-thirds  the  distance  from 
its  base  to  vent;  pectorals  moderate,  i.i  to  1.25  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  pale  brownish  or  olivaceous ;  a  very  broad,  blackish 
lateral  band  extending  from  eye  to  tip  of  caudal,  this  band  rather 
faint  anteriorly ;  a  broad  bluish  band  upward  and  backward  from  eye 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       717 

to  nape;  a  dark  band  along  profile  from  snout  to  nape;  dorsal  very 
dark  indigo  at  base,  with  pale  margin ;  caudal  with  middle  rays  blackish, 
outer  rays  pale ;  anal  brownish  at  base,  with  pale  margin ;  ventrals  pale ; 
pectorals  mostly  pale,  tips  and  upper  rays  brownish. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  3  speci- 
mens from  Havana,  Cuba;  "West  Indies";  and  Bahia,  Brazil.  The 
range  in  length  is  from  200  to  240  mm. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  south  to  Brazil. 

519.  Halichoeres  radiatus  (Linnaeus). 

Labrus  radiatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  288  (America). 

Sparus  radiatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  1766,  472  (Carolina). 

Labrus  brasiliensis  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  V,  1791,  125,  PI. 
CCLXXX  (Brazil; -on  a  drawing  of  Pudiano  verde  by  Prince 
Maurice  of  Nassau) . 

Labrus  bivittatus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  V,  1791,  133,  PI. 
CCLXXXIV,  fig.  i  (from  a  painting  by  Plumier,  made  at  Mar- 
tinique) . 

Labrus  psittaculus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  Ill,  1802,  523  (Mar- 
tinique; from  a  copy  of  Plumier's  painting). 

Julis  crotaphus  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  II,  II,  1829,  258  (based  on 
Doncella  of  Parra). 

Julis  psittaculus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII,  1839, 

387. 
Julis  cyanostigma  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,   Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,   XIII, 

I$39,  391   (Martinique). 
Julis  opalina  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII,   1839, 

392  (Martinique). 
Julis  patatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII,  1839, 

398  (Martinique). 
Julis  principis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII,  1839, 

402  (Bahia,  Brazil). 
Chloricthys  braziliensis  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839, 

232  (name  only). 

Julis  humeralis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  212  (Havana). 
Platyglossus  cyanostigma  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  161. 
Platyglossus  opalinus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  163. 
Platyglossus  principis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  164. 
Platyglossus  bivittatus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  164. 
Platyglossus  humeralis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  165. 


yi 8  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Chcerojulis  grandisquamis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  206 

(Beaufort,  N.  C). 

Chcerojulis  cyanostigma  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  334  (Havana). 
Chcerojulis  bivittatus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  335. 
Chcerojulis  humeralis  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  335. 
Choerojulis  arangoi  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  109  (Havana). 
Chcerojulis  radiatus  Goode,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  V,  1876,  35. 
Platyglossus  florealis  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882, 

287(Pensacola,  Fla.). 
Platyglossus  grandisquamis  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XVI,  1882  (1883),  603. 
Halichceres  radiatus  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (I&91')> 

641. 
Halichceres  bivittatus  Jordan,   Rept.   U.   S.   Fish  Comm.,   XV,   1887 

(1890,645,  Pis.  V,  VI. 
Iridio  radiatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1590,  PI.  CCXXXIX,  fig.  600. 
Iridio  bivittatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1595,  PI.  CCXXXIX,  fig.  601 ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci. 

Phila.,  1916,  405  (Toro  Point,  Colon). 

Head  3.6  to  4.25;  depth  2.6  to  4.8;  D.  IX,  n;  A.  Ill,  12;  scales 
26  to  28. 

Body  rather  slender  in  young,  the  depth  increasing  greatly  with  age ; 
dorsal  profile  anteriorly  very  steep  in  adult,  moderately  convex  in 
young;  head  very  short  and  deep  in  adult;  snout  rather  pointed  in 
young,  rather  short  and  blunt  in  adult,  its  length  2.1  to  3.5  in  head;  eye 
3.7  to  7.55 ;  mouth  moderate,  the  gape  scarcely  reaching  anterior  mar- 
gin of  eye;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  largely  covered  by  the  broad  pre- 
orbital,  2.65  to  3.7  in  head;  teeth  strong,  upper  jaw  anteriorly  with  a 
pair  of  strong  canines,  and  a  smaller  pair  posteriorly  near  angle  of 
mouth;  lower  jaw  anteriorly  with  4  canines,  none  posteriorly;  other 
teeth  short,  conical;  gill-rakers  very  short,  9  to  n  on  lower  limb  of 
first  arch;  scales  large,  not  greatly  reduced  on  chest;  head  entirely 
naked;  lateral  line  curved  abruptly  downward  under  posterior  rays  of 
dorsal,  nearly  all  the  pores  more  or  less  branched ;  dorsal  spines  short, 
slender,  soft  rays  not  produced;  caudal  rounded  in  young,  emarginate 
in  large  examples,  the  upper  rays  longer  than  the  lower  ones;  anal 
spines  slender,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals 
about  the  length  of  postorbital  part  of  head  in  very  young,  proportion- 
ately much  longer  in  adult,  with  the  outer  rays  much  produced,  more 
than  twice  the  length  of  the  inner  rays,  slightly  longer  than  distance 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       719 

from  snout  to  margin  of  preopercle;  pectorals  of  moderate  length,  1.13 
to  1.65  in  head. 

Color  of  young  in  life  dark  brownish  green;  sides  greenish;  abdo- 
men pale ;  chest  red ;  a  conspicuous  black  lateral  band  from  snout  to 
base  of  caudal;  a  much  narrower  and  fainter  band  from  below  base 
of  pectoral  along  edge  of  abdomen,  disappearing  posteriorly;  a  yellow- 
ish streak  on  side  of  head  just  below  the  black  lateral  band;  cheeks 
below  this  streak  reddish ;  margin  of  opercle  yellowish ;  a  red  band  across 
lower  jaw  from  posterior  angles  of  mouth ;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  mostly 
yellowish  red;  a  very  small  dark  spot  at  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal; 
pectorals  and  ventrals  slightly  yellowish  or  pale.  When  the  fish  reaches 
a  length  of  about  125  mm.,  an  opercular  spot  which  is  darker  than  the 
lateral  band  has  formed;  the  lower  band  has  almost  disappeared;  the 
small  black  spot  at  base  of  last  dorsal  rays  is  no  longer  visible.  In  speci- 
mens about  170  mm.  long  the  lower  band  has  wholly  disappeared,  the 
upper  one  has  become  indistinctly  outlined  and  more  or  less  broken  up 
into  blotches ;  the  opercular  spot  remains  very  distinct.  Base  of  dorsal 
and  anal,  and  tips  of  outer  caudal  rays  are  dusky.  Color  of  adult  speci- 
men 340  mm.  long,  generally  greenish,  no  trace  of  lateral  band  or  opercu- 
lai  spot;  numerous  scales  each  with  a  round  pearly  blue  spot  at  base, 
these  becoming  elongate  at  nape  and  on  caudal  peduncle ;  a  blue  streak 
from  nape  through  eye  to  snout,  one  blue  streak  backward  from  eye ;  an- 
other just  below  eye ;  another  from  posterior  angle  of  mouth  across  lower 
part  of  cheek,  curving  upward  on  opercle;  a  rather  broader  one  on 
interopercle ;  lower  jaw  with  2  blue  cross-bands;  dorsal  with  a  narrow 
blue  stripe  at  base,  above  this  with  many  blue  spots ;  caudal  with  many 
blue  spots,  some  of  them  confluent,  forming  longitudinal  lines ;  anal 
with  a  row  of  blue  spots  at  base,  a  blue  bar  on  lower  third,  a  narrower 
and  more  or  less  broken  bar  on  distal  third,  then  a  rather  wide  blue 
margin;  ventrals  with  spine  and  outer  ray  blue,  the  rest  of  fin  mostly 
pale;  pectorals  with  a  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  ray,  the  fin  plain 
translucent,  shaded  with  blue. 

We  have  42  specimens  of  this  species,  ranging  in  length  from  30  to 
140  mm.  We  also  examined  numerous  specimens  of  various  sizes,  the 
largest  420  mm.  in  length,  in  the  National  Museum  collection. 

After  examining  the  numerous  specimens  as  noted  above,  we  are 
convinced  that  with  its  several  synonyms,  as  understood  by  Jordan 
(Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891)  pp.  641  and  645),  H.  bivit- 
tatus  merely  represents  the  young  of  the  present  species.  The  great 
variation,  with  age,  in  the  depth  of  the  fish  is  characteristic  of  this  entire 
group,  although  it  seems  to  reach  its  most  extreme  proportions  in  the 


720  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

present  species,  which  also  shows  considerable  variation  in  this  respect, 
among  individuals  of  like  size.  The  difference  in  the  shape  of  the 
fins,  as  given,  is  clearly  due  to  age,  as  is  very  probably  also  the  change 
in  color.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  of  the  numerous  specimens  exam- 
ined, which  were  taken  at  various  times  and  places,  there  is  not  a 
specimen  less  than  about  170  mm.  in  length  that  answers  to  the  descrip- 
tion of  H.  radiatus,  as  heretofore  understood.  Nor  is  there  one  larger 
that  will  well  fall  in  with  H.  bivittatus.  It,  however,  at  about  this  age 
becomes  difficult  to  determine  to  which  nominal  species  the  individuals 
should  be  referred.  If  the  two  were  really  distinct,  it  would  seem  very 
strange  that  apparently  no  young  oi  H.  radiatus  have  been  taken. 

Known  from  North  Carolina  southward  to  Brazil.    Our  specimens 
are  from  Toro  Point;  Fox  Bay,  Colon;  Colon  Reef,  and  Porto  Bello. 


520.  Halichoeres  kirschii  (Jordan  &  Evermann). 

Julis  crotaphus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIII,  1839, 

395  (Bahia;  not  of  Cuvier). 

Platyglossus  crotaphus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  163. 
Chcerojulis  crotaphus  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  109. 
Halichceres  poeyi  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 

646  (not  of  Steindachner). 
Iridio  kirschii  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  413  (Bahia;  name  only) ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1598. 

Head  3.67  to  4.05;  depth  3.8  to  4.55;  D.  IX,  n  ;  A.  Ill,  12;  scales 
26  or  27. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  increasing  in  depth  with  age;  dorsal 
profile  anteriorly  rather  steep,  convex,  highest  at  origin  of  dorsal ;  head 
rather  short,  compressed;  snout  moderately  pointed,  its  length  2.66  to 
3.5  in  head ;  eye  3.9  to  4.9 ;  mouth  moderate,  the  gape  reaching  anterior 
margin  of  eye;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  largely  covered  by  the  wide  pre- 
orbital,  3.05  to  3.8  in  head;  teeth  rather  strong,  upper  jaw  anteriorly 
with  one  pair  of  canines  and  posteriorly  near  angle  of  mouth  with 
another  pair;  lower  jaw  anteriorly  with  4  canines,  none  posteriorly; 
other  teeth  short  but  strong ;  gill-rakers  very  short,  about  9  more  or  less 
developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  large,  little  reduced  on 
chest,  not  crossing  median  line  of  back,  head  naked;  lateral  line  com- 
plete, curved  abruptly  downward  under  last  rays  of  dorsal,  the  pores 
in  anterior  portion  branched ;  dorsal  spines  short,  none  of  the  rays  pro- 
duced ;  caudal  fin  slightly  rounded ;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  soft  portion 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       721 

similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventrals  rather  small,  slightly  shorter  than 
pectorals,  the  outer  ray  produced  in  adult;  pectorals  moderate,  1.37 
to  1.6  in  head. 

Color  in  life  rather  bright  green  above,  slightly  paler  below;  a 
narrow  lateral  band  of  paler  green  from  posterior  angle  of  opercle  to 
slightly  below  middle  of  base  of  caudal;  a  very  faint  band  beginning 
below  base  of  pectorals  and  running  along  edge  of  abdomen;  sides  of 
head  with  a  reddish  band  extending  from  lips  to  margin  of  opercle; 
another  red  band  from  eye  to  upper  edge  of  base  of  pectoral,  extending 
downward  past  pectoral;  a  third  red  band  directly  back  of  eye  to  mar- 
gin of  opercle;  a  prominent  black  spot  just  back  of  eye;  dorsal,  caudal 
and  anal  greenish,  tinged  with  red ;  a  black  spot  at  base  of  last  ray  of 
dorsal;  pectoral  and  ventral  green,  the  former  with  a  black  line  across 
its  base. 

Of  this  species  7  specimens,  ranging  from  75  to  100  mm.  in  length, 
were  seined  in  one  day.  The  species,  thereafter,  was  never  again  seen. 
The  above  description  is  based  on  these  and  the  2  type  specimens,  130 
and  155  mm.  in  length,  from  Bahia,  Brazil. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

521.  Halichoeres  dispilus  (Giinther). 

Platyglossus   dispilus   Gunther,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.    London,    1864,   25 

(Panama). 
Halichoeres  dispilus  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 

646;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  146  (Panama 

Bay)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV, 

1912,  138  (Acapulco). 
Iridio  dispilus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1597,  PI.  CCXL,  fig.  602. 

Head  3.44  to  4.2;  depth  3.36  to  4.55;  D.  IX,  n;  A.  Ill,  12; 
scales  27. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed,  increasing  notably  in  depth 
with  age;  dorsal  profile  anteriorly  rather  steep  in  adult;  head  short, 
compressed;  snout  moderately  pointed  in  young,  rather  blunt  in  adult, 
its  length  2.7  to  4.2  in  head ;  eye  4.6  to  6.0 ;  mouth  rather  small,  the  gape 
scarcely  reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye ;  jaws  equal ;  maxillary  mostly 
covered  by  the  broad  preorbital,  3.2  to  4.2  in  head ;  teeth  rather  strong ; 
upper  jaw  anteriorly  with  a  single  pair  of  canines,  posteriorly  near 
angle  of  mouth  with  another  pair  directed  forward ;  lower  jaw  ante- 


722  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

riorly  with  4  canines,  none  posteriorly;  other  teeth  short,  but  strong; 
gill-rakers  poorly  developed,  about  8  short  ones  on  lower  limb  of  first 
arch ;  scales  large,  not  much  reduced  on  chest,  and  not  crossing  median 
line  of  back ;  lateral  line  complete,  abruptly  curved  downward  or  some- 
times interrupted  under  last  rays  of  dorsal,  the  pores  not  branched; 
first  dorsal  with  9  rather  short,  pungent  spines,  and  n  rays,  none  of 
them  produced;  caudal  fin  in  young  slightly  rounded,  with  the  middle 
rays  the  longest,  concave  in  adult,  the  outer  rays  slightly  produced  in 
our  largest  specimens,  the  middle  rays  the  shortest;  anal  with  3  short 
spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal ;  ventrals  small,  notably 
shorter  than  pectorals,  the  outer  ray  not  notably  produced;  pectorals 
moderate,  1.28  to  143  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  olivaceous ;  some  specimens  considerably  darker  than 
others ;  young  with  a  pale  lateral  band  from  just  above  base  of  pectoral 
to  slightly  below  the  middle  of  base  of  caudal.  Our  largest  specimen 
with  a  pale  area  at  shoulder,  and  another  behind  base  of  pectorals ;  sides 
of  head  with  4  pale  longitudinal  streaks,  two  below  eye  and  two  extend- 
ing backward  from  eye;  opercle  with  a  dark-bluish  area;  a  prominent 
black  spot,  larger  than  eye,  in  lateral  line  below  sixth  and  seventh  dorsal 
spines ;  this  spot  broken  up  into  3  or  4  smaller  spots  in  specimens  about 
loo  mm.  in  length;  very  young  again  with  but  a  single  spot,  not  larger 
than  the  pupil;  very  young  with  a  prominent  caudal  spot,  breaking  up 
into  2  more  or  less  distinct  spots,  becoming  obscure  and  fading  away 
when  the  fish  reaches  a  length  of  about  130  mm.;  fins  pale  in  young; 
in  large  examples,  and  especially  the  more  darker  colored  ones,  the 
dorsal  and  anal  largely  dusky;  the  dorsal  with  a  row  of  pale  spots 
at  base. 

Of  this  species  33  specimens  were  preserved,  ranging  in  length  from 
40  to  170  mm. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Peru.  Our  specimens  are  from  the 
rocky  shores  of  Naos  Island  and  from  Panama  Bay  near  Balboa. 

522.  Halichoeres  sellifer  Gilbert. 

Halichceres  sellifer  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1890,  67  (Clarion 

Island)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,   144 

(Panama  Bay)  ;  Kendall  &  .Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  138  (Acapulco). 
Irido  sellifer  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1592. 
Halichceres  macgregori  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  145,  PI.  XXIII,  fig.  45  (Panama  Bay). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       723 

Pseudojulis   notospilus   Kendall    &   Radcliffe,    Memoir.    Mus.    Comp. 

Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  139,  PL  VI,  fig.  2  (Acapulco;  in  part). 

Head  3.65  to  4.75;  depth  3.0  to  3.85;  D.  IX,  n  or  12;  A.  Ill,  12 
or  13 ;  scales  27  or  28. 

Body  rather  deep,  compressed,  getting  deeper  with  age;  back  con- 
siderably elevated  in  adult ;  anterior  profile  convex ;  head  very  short  and 
deep  in  adult ;  snout  rather  pointed  in  young,  becoming  rather  blunt  with 
age,  its  length  1.46  to  3.55;  eye  4.2  to  7.9;  mouth  moderate,  the  gape 
reaching  about  anterior  margin  of  eye;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  largely 
covered  by  the  wide  preorbital,  2.9  to  4.0  in  length  of  head ;  teeth  strong, 
the  upper  jaw  anteriorly  with  a  pair  of  canines,  and  posteriorly  with 
another  pair  directed  forward ;  the  largest  specimen,  395  mm.  long,  with 
2  pairs  of  canines  posteriorly  on  upper  jaw ;  lower  jaw  anteriorly  with 
4  canines,  none  posteriorly;  other  teeth  short,  conical;  gill-rakers  very 
short,  8  to  10  more  or  less  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales 
large,  not  greatly  reduced  on  chest ;  head  naked ;  lateral  line  complete, 
curved  abruptly  downward  under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  the  pores  on 
anterior  portion  branched;  dorsal  with  9  rather  short,  slender  spines 
and  u,  rarely  12,  soft  rays,  none  of  them  produced;  caudal  fin  rounded 
in  young,  very  slightly  emarginate  in  adult,  none  of  the  rays  produced ; 
anal  with  3  rather  weak  spines,  and  with  12,  rarely  13,  soft  rays  similar 
to  those  of  dorsal;  ventrals  rather  short  in  young,  not  nearly  reaching 
vent,  the  outer  rays  much  produced  in  adult,  becoming  about  3  times 
the  length  of  the  inner  rays  and  reaching  origin  of  anal ;  pectorals 
moderate,  not  greatly  changed  by  age,  1.16  to  1.4  in  head. 

Color  of  a  fresh  specimen,  275  mm.  long,  generally  greenish  above, 
paler  below ;  scales  below  with  a  red  base,  those  along  back  and  upper 
part  of  sides  with  dark  brown  or  blue  center  and  bluish  margin ;  region 
about  eye  and  opercle  with  sky-blue  spots;  a  conspicuous  black  bar 
under  the  base  of  the  fifth  to  seventh  dorsal  spine,  extending  downward 
to  about  the  middle  of  side;  dorsal  green  at  base,  the  distal  half  red, 
about  the  middle  of  fin  with  a  series  of  sky-blue  spots ;  caudal  green,  with 
reddish  margin;  anal  green  on  basal  two-thirds,  distal  third  red,  2 
broken  streaks  of  sky-blue  on  green  portion;  ventrals  pale  green,  with 
the  exterior  rays  red;  pectorals  pale  green.  The  young  are  notably 
darker  in  color;  a  specimen  70  mm.  in  length  answers  the  following 
description;  many  scales  with  a  dark  brown  spot  at  base,  those  so 
marked  arranged  in  groups,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  blotches 
on  sides  of  fish;  no  black  bar  under  dorsal;  sides  of  head  behind 
eye  with  3  or  4  narrow  black  lines,  the  lower  two  joined  by  cross- 
branches;  a  dusky  band  on  lower  part  of  cheeks,  turning  downward 


724  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

and  backward  across  base  of  pectoral;  dorsal  with  several  indistinct 
dusky  blotches,  the  one  on  anterior  spines  the  most  distinct ;  a  very  con- 
spicuous elliptical,  jet-black  spot  on  basal  portion  of  first  4  rays  of  soft 
dorsal;  caudal  uniformly  dusky;  anal  with  2  rather  indistinct  dusky 
lines,  one  at  base,  the  other  on  distal  third;  outer  rays  of  ventrals 
dusky,  remainder  of  fins  pale ;  pectorals  uniformly  pale.  When  the  fish 
reaches  a  length  of  about  95  mm.  nearly  every  scale  on  side  has  a  dark 
brown  base  and  the  blotches  above  described  become  indistinct.  There 
is  as  yet  scarcely  a  trace  of  the  black  bar  under  dorsal,  which  is  char- 
acteristic of  the  adult.  In  specimens  120  mm.  long  this  bar  has  formed 
as  a  very  broad,  ill  defined  blotch.  The  elliptical  spot  on  base  of  soft 
rays  of  dorsal  has  become  pale  dusky  and  its  outline  is  only  faintly 
visible.  The  markings  on  the  sides  of  head  have  become  very  indistinct. 
In  our  largest  specimens  the  blue  green  color  predominates;  on  the 
shoulder  in  front  of  the  black  bar  are  2  or  3  yellow  spots. 

Of  this  species  we  have  21  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  70  to 
395  mm.  We  have  also  examined  the  type. 

Our  rather  large  series,  containing  specimens  of  all  sizes,  demon- 
strates without  doubt  that  the  fish  described  as  Halichceres  macgregori 
(Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  p.  145)  is  the  young 
of  H.  sellifer. 

Known  from  Revillagigedo  Archipelago  to  Panama.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Panama  Bay,  at  Balboa;  tide  pools,  Panama;  and  Panama 
City  market. 

523.  Halichceres  nicholsi  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Platyglossus  nicholsi  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881, 

231  (Braithwaite  Bay,  Socorro  Island). 
Halichceres  nicholsi  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 

642;  Snodgrass  &  Heller,  Proc.  Wash.  Ac.  Sci.,  VI,  1904  (1905), 

395  (Charles  Island). 
Iridio  nicholsi  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1591. 

Head  3.5;  depth  3.5;  D.  IX,  12  or  13;  A.  Ill,  n  or  12;  scales  28. 

Body  deep,  compressed;  head  entirely  naked;  scales  not  crossing 
median  line  of  back. 

No  specimens  of  this  species  were  seen  by  us.  It  appears  to  differ 
from  H.  sellifer  chiefly  in  the  absence  of  the  reddish  hue  of  that  species, 
and  in  the  more  obscure  and  more  anteriorly  placed  black  band  under  the 
dorsal.  Owing  to  the  variation  in  color  among  individuals,  the  present 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       725 

writers  are  strongly  of  the  opinion  that  the  two  will  eventually  prove  to 
be  identical. 

Known  from  the  Revillagigedo  and  Galapagos  archipelagos.     Not 
recorded  from  the  shores  of  the  mainland. 


189.  Genus  Pseudojulis  Bleeker. 

Pseudojulis  Bleeker,   Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,   XIII,    1862,  99    (type 

Pseudojulis  girardi  Bleeker) . 
Julidio  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,   1895 

(1896),  413  (type  Pseudojulis  adustus  Gilbert). 

Body  compressed,  slender;  upper  jaw  with  2  strong  canines  in  front; 
lower  jaw  with  2  or  4  canines*,  the  outer  ones,  if  present,  often  very 
slightly  enlarged ;  no  posterior  canines ;  scales  large,  fewer  than  30  in  a 
lateral  series,  those  on  chest  somewhat  reduced;  head  entirely  naked; 
lateral  fin  complete,  abruptly  curved  downward  posteriorly ;  dorsal  spines 
9 ;  anal  spines  3.  This  genus  differs  from  Halichceres  chiefly  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  posterior  canines. 

524.  Pseudojulis  notospilus  Giinther. 

Pseudojulis  notospilus  Gunther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1864,  26 
(Panama);  Jordan,  Kept  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 
649;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  ScL,  IV,  1904,  146  (Pan- 
ama Bay)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV, 
1912,  139  (Acapulco;  in  part). 

Julidio  notospilus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  1603. 

Head  3.37  to  3.97;  depth  3.28  to  4.0;  D.  IX,  n ;  A.  Ill,  12;  scales 
26  or  27. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  moderately  robust;  the  back  elevated; 
profile  from  snout  to  nape  strongly  convex,  especially  in  adult;  head 
short ;  snout  rather  blunt,  becoming  more  so  with  age,  its  length  2.64  to 
4.74  in  head ;  eye  4.25  to  5.0;  mouth  moderate,  the  gape  reaching  about 
to  anterior  margin  of  eye;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  mostly  concealed  by 
the  preorbital,  3.22  to  4.74  in  head;  teeth  strong;  the  upper  jaw  with 
2  strong  canines  in  front;  lower  jaw  with  2  strong  canines  and  a  pair 

*The  presence  of  2  or  4  canines  in  lower  jaw  appears  to  be  valueless  as  a 
generic  character,  as  the  outer  pair  may  appear  only  slightly  smaller  than  the 
inner  pair,  as  in  P.  adustws;  notably  smaller,  as  in  P.  notospilus;  somewhat 
larger  than  the  succeeding  jaw  teeth,  as  in  P.  melanotis;  or  not  at  all  enlarged,  as 
in  P.  inornatus. 


726  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

of  smaller  ones  on  the  outside  of  them;  no  posterior  canines;  gill- 
rakers  very  short,  about  9  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch ;  scales  large,  head 
entirely  naked ;  lateral  line  complete,  abruptly  curved  downward  under 
posterior  rays  oi  dorsal,  the  pores  mostly  with  2  or  3  branches ;  dorsal 
with  9  short,  pungent  spines,  and  n  soft  rays,  none  of  the  latter  pro- 
duced; caudal  evenly  rounded;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  soft  portion 
similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  none  of  the  rays  pro- 
duced ;  caudal  evenly  rounded ;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  soft  portion  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventrals  moderate,  none  of  the  rays  produced ; 
pectorals  rather  long,  1.2  to  1.33  in  head. 

Color  in  life  brownish  or  olivaceous  above ;  deep  green,  pale  green, 
or  reddish  below ;  back  with  several  more  or  less  distinct  blackish  bands ; 
a  very  small  dark  spot  just  back  of  eye  present  in  young;  opercle  with 
a  bluish  area ;  vertical  fins  usually  more  or  less  dusky,  with  bluish  mar- 
gins; dorsal  in  young  with  a  prominent,  jet-black,  elliptical  spot  at  base 
of  the  first  3  or  4  soft  rays,  this  later  becomes  confluent  with  the  blackish 
bar  underneath  it ;  outer  rays  of  ventrals  dusky ;  pectorals  pale  greenish, 
with  a  brownish  bar  across  base. 

Of  this  species  we  have  180  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  40 
to  130  mm. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  southward  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Taboga  Island,  Balboa,  and  Panama.  The  species  is  very  abundant 
in  rocky  tide  pools. 

190.  Genus  Thalassoma  Swainson. 

Thdassoma  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  224  (type 

Labrus  purpureus  Riippell) . 
Chlorichthys  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  232  (type 

Labrus  bifasciatus  Bloch) . 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  moderately  compressed ;  head  rather  small ; 
snout  blunt;  anterior  canines  moderate,  2  in  each  jaw,  those  in  lower 
jaw  sometimes  not  much  larger  than  teeth  next  to  them;  no  posterior 
canines;  scales  large;  head  entirely  scaleless;  lateral  line  complete, 
abruptly  curved  downward  posteriorly ;  dorsal  spines  8 ;  anal  spines  3, 
the  first  one  very  small. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Body  slender,  its  depth  4.1  to  4.75  in  its  length;  head  small,  3.8 
to  4.16  in  length;  body  brownish  above,  pale  underneath,  with 
a  broad  black  lateral  band ;  no  cross-bar ;  head  not  darker  than 
rest  of  body,  its  ventral  surface  pale.  lucasanum,  p.  727. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       727 

aa.  Body  deeper,  its  depth  3.06  to  3.9  in  its  length;  head  larger, 
3.4  to  3.8  in  the  length;  body  without  lateral  band;  except  in 
very  young ;  a  broad  yellowish  cross-bar  at  occiput ;  head  entirely 
blue  black,  notably  darker  than  rest  of  body.  duperrey,  p.  728. 

525.  Thalassoma  lucasanum  (Gill). 

Julis  lucasanus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  142  (Cape  San 

Lucas) . 

Julis  lucasana  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1864,  26. 
Thalassoma  lucasanum  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895, 

482;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912, 

141   (Acapulco;  Taboguilla  Island,  Panama  Bay). 
Chlorichthys  lucasanus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1607. 

Head  3.8  to  4.16;  depth  4.1  to  4.75;  D.  VIII,  13;  A.  Ill,  u; 
scales  27  or  28. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  back  not  greatly  elevated,  anterior  pro- 
file evenly,  convex ;  head  moderate ;  snout  short  and  blunt,  its  length  2.8 
to  4.0  in  head ;  eye  4.25  to  5.0;  mouth  small;  jaws  equal;  maxillary  not 
reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye,  3.4  to  4.15  in  head;  each  jaw  ante- 
riorly with  a  pair  of  canines,  the  teeth  next  to  them  somewhat  enlarged ; 
lateral  teeth  short,  conical ;  no  posterior  canines ;  gill-rakers  very  short 
and  poorly  developed ;  gill-membranes  broadly  connected  across  isthmus ; 
scales  large,  reduced  on  chest ;  head  entirely  naked,  with  many  mucous 
pores;  lateral  line  complete,  curved  abruptly  downward  under  last  rays 
of  dorsal,  the  pores  all  branched;  dorsal  with  8  spines,  graduated,  the 
soft  portion  low,  none  of  the  rays  produced;  caudal  slightly  rounded 
in  very  young,  the  outer  rays  slightly  produced  in  adult,  making  the 
outer  margin  distinctly  concave;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  first  one  very 
small,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal ;  ventrals  small,  less  than 
half  the  length  of  pectorals;  pectorals  moderate,  1.13  to  1.34  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  brown  above,  pale  below,  with  a  broad,  black,  lateral 
band  extending  from  eye  to  base  of  caudal,  becoming  indistinct  pos- 
teriorly and  merging  into  the  brown  of  the  back ;  dorsal  black,  with  a  pale 
margin ;  caudal  pale,  with  the  outer  rays  black,  narrowly  edged  with  pale ; 
anal  dusky  at  base,  with  a  broad,  pale  margin ;  ventrals  pale ;  pectorals 
with  more  or  less  dusky  and  a  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  ray. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  9  speci- 
mens from  Taboguilla  Island,  collected  by  the  Albatross,  and  ranging 
in  length  from  70  to  120  mm.  We  also  examined  the  type  specimens 


728  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

from  Cape  San  Lucas,  and  3  small  specimens  from  Tres  Marias  Island. 
Known  from  Acapulco  south  to  Panama.  Recorded  from  Panama 
by  Giinther  (Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1864,  p.  26),  and  from  Taboguilla 
Island,  Panama  Bay,  by  Kendall  and  Radcliffe  (Memoir.  Mus.  Comp. 
Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  p.  141). 

526.  Thalassoma  duperrey  (Quoy  &  Gaimard). 

Julis  duperrey  Quoy  &  Gaimard,  in  Freycinet,  Voy.    Uraine  et  Physi- 

cienne,  Zool.,  1824,  268,  PL  LVI,  fig.  2  (Sandwich  Islands). 
Julis  clepsydralis  Smith  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  136 

(Johnston's  Island). 
Thalassoma  pyrrhovinctum  Jenkins,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIX, 

1899  (1901),  51,  fig.  7  (Honolulu). 
Thalassoma  duperrey  Jenkins,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXII,  Part  I, 

1902  (1904),  463;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm. 

XXIII,  1903  (1905),  302,  fig.  130,  PI.  XXXV;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe, 

Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1921,  140. 

Head  3.4  to  3.8;  depth  3.06  to  3.9;  D.  VIII,  12  or  13;  A.  Ill,  n; 
scales  27  to  29. 

Body  elongate,  rather  deep,  compressed;  the  back  moderately  ele- 
vated; anterior  profile  evenly  convex;  head  rather  small;  snout  blunt, 
its  length  2.7  to  3.44  in  head ;  eye  4.3  to  5.35 ;  mouth  moderate,  nearly 
horizontal ;  jaws  equal ;  maxillary  largely  hidden  under  the  preorbital, 
4.1  to  5.0  in  head;  each  jaw  anteriorly  with  2  canines,  teeth  next  to 
them  somewhat  enlarged;  lateral  teeth  short,  conical;  no  posterior 
canines;  gill-rakers  very  short,  poorly  developed;  gill-membranes  con- 
nected across  isthmus;  scales  large,  reduced  on  chest,  head  entirely 
naked,  with  many  mucous  pores ;  lateral  line  complete,  abruptly  curved 
downward  under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal;  dorsal  with  8  pungent, 
graduated  spines,  soft  portion  rather  low,  none  of  the  rays  produced; 
caudal  rounded  in  young,  its  margin  deeply  concave,  with  the  outer  rays 
produced  in  adult ;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  first  one  very  small,  the  soft 
portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventrals  small,  the  outer  ray  some- 
what produced  in  adult;  pectorals  moderate,  1.13  to  1.23  in  head. 

Color  rather  variable.  An  alcoholic  specimen  115  mm,  in  length 
from  Taboguilla  Island  has  the  head  black-blue,  a  broad  pale  bar  pass- 
ing from  occiput  downward  back  of  base  of  pectorals ;  the  rest  of  body 
plain  brownish;  dorsal  brownish,  with  pale  margin;  caudal  black,  the 
outer  rays  narrowly  edged  with  pale ;  anal  pale  brown,  with  pale  mar- 
gin ;  ventrals  slightly  brownish ;  pectorals  with  a  black  blotch  at  base 
of  upper  ray,  extending  on  ray,  the  distal  third  of  fin  with  jet-black 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.    ,  729 

bar.  Specimens  from  Hawaii  are  much  darker.  Very  young  have  a 
black  lateral  band,  and  the  fins  are  mostly  pale.  The  black  band  soon  be- 
comes indistinct  and  the  paler  band  at  occiput  begins  to  appear. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  a  specimen 
from  Taboguilla  Island,  collected  by  the  Albatross,  and  from  numerous 
specimens  from  Hawaii,  ranging  in  length  from  30  to  165  mm. 

Known  from  the  tropical  Pacific.  It  is  very  abundant  about  the 
Hawaiian  Islands,  and  recorded  from  Taboguilla  Island,  Panama  Bay, 
by  Kendall  &  Radcliffe  (Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  140). 

191.  Genus  Xyrichthys  Cuvier. 

Xyrichthys  Cuvier,  Mem.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  I,  1815,  317,  329,  355 

(type  Xyrichthys  cultratus  Cuvier=Coryph(?na  novacula  Linnaeus). 
Novacula  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  I,  II,  1817,  265  (type  Coryphana 

novacula  Linnaeus). 
Amorphocephalus  Bowdich,  Excursions  in  Madeira,  1825,  238   (type 

Amorphocephalus  granulatus  Bowdich). 

Body  rather  deep,  strongly  compressed,  deepest  behind  occiput, 
thence  tapering  backward ;  head  short  and  very  deep,  its  anterior  profile 
almost  vertical  in  adult,  compressed  into  a  sharp  edge ;  eye  small,  placed 
high ;  preorbital  extremely  deep ;  snout  not  greatly  in  advance  of  fore- 
head; mouth  rather  small,  low  and  horizontal;  each  jaw  with  2  anterior 
canines ;  no  posterior  canine ;  scales  large,  little  reduced  on  chest ;  head 
mostly  naked,  with  few  scales  below  and  back  of  eyes ;  lateral  line  inter- 
rupted posteriorly,  reappearing  lower  down  on  caudal  peduncle;  dorsal 
fin  continuous,  with  9  slender,  graduated  spines. 

527.  Xyrichthys  psittacus  (Linnaeus). 

Coryphcena  psittacus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  1766,  488  (Charles- 
ton, S.  C.). 

Coryphcena  lineata  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  1789,  1195  (Charleston,  S.  C.). 

Xyrichthys  lineatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV, 
!839,  50;  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882  (1883),  609. 

Xyrichthys  vermiculatus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  215  (Havana, 
Cuba). 

Novacula  lineata  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  171. 

Xyrichthys  venustus  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  no  (Cuba). 

Xyrichthys  psittacus  Goode  &  Bean,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  45; 


73o  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1618, 

PI.  CCXLII,  fig.  607. 

Head  3.86  to  4.35;  depth  2.85  to  3.85;  D.  IX,  12;  A.  Ill,  12; 
scales  27  to  29. 

Body  deep,  very  strongly  compressed;  head  short,  compressed,  ex- 
tremely deep,  its  anterior  profile  very  steep,  ascending  in  a  straight  line, 
compressed  into  a  keel;  snout  little  in  advance  of  forehead  in  adult, 
rather  longer  and  more  strongly  projecting  in  young,  its  length  1.4  to 
2.53  in  head ;  eye  4.52  to  5.5 ;  preorbital  extremely  wide ;  mouth  mod- 
erate, horizontal ;  jaws  equal ;  maxillary  failing  to  reach  anterior  margin 
of  eye,  not  concealed  by  preorbital,  3.1  to  3.53  in  head;  each  jaw  ante- 
riorly with  2  strong  canines  in  front;  posterior  canines  wanting;  other 
teeth  short,  conical;  gill-rakers  very  poorly  developed;  gill-membranes 
broadly  united  at  isthmus;  scales  large,  little  reduced  on  chest;  head 
mostly  naked,  with  few  scales  below  and  back  of  eye;  lateral  line  inter- 
rupted under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  reappearing  on  middle  of  caudal 
peduncle,  none  of  the  pores  branched ;  dorsal  with  9  slender  spines, 
graduated,  the  last  ray  of  soft  portion  produced  in  adult,  reaching  to  or 
past  base  of  caudal;  caudal  truncate  or  slightly  rounded;  anal  with  3 
slender  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal ;  ventrals  rather 
small,  the  outside  ray  produced  in  adult ;  pectorals  moderate,  1 .2  to  1 .45 
in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  mostly  pale  or  slightly  brownish;  in  life  rose-red 
or  brownish,  with  a  blue  vertical  streak  on  sides,  and  with  a  pale  or 
silvery  area  behind  and  below  pectorals,  the  latter  often  wanting  or  dis- 
appearing in  spirits;  cheeks  with  narrow  bluish  vertical  bands;  dorsal 
plain;  caudal  with  several  narrow,  dark  cross-bands;  and  with  oblique 
olivaceous  streaks. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  specimens 
from  South  Carolina,  Florida,  Nassau,  Cuba,  and  Cozumel,  ranging  in 
length  from  95  to  200  mm. 

Known  from  South  Carolina  southward  to  Bahia,  Brazil;  not  re- 
corded from  Panama. 

192.  Genus  Doratonotus  Gunther. 

Doratonotus  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  124  (type  Dora- 
tonotus megalepis  Gunther) . 

Body  rather  strongly  compressed,  elongate;  head  pointed,  its  dor- 
sal profile  straight  or  slightly  concave,  not  compressed  into  a  keel; 
preorbital  rather  narrow,  shielding  posterior  part  of  maxillary;  each 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       731 

jaw  with  2  canines  in  front,  upper  jaw  with  a  small  canine  posteriorly ; 
gill-membranes  united,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  scales  large ;  cheeks  and 
opercles  scaly;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  on 
middle  of  caudal  peduncle ;  dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  the  anterior 
ones  elevated,  longer  than  the  succeeding  ones,  making  the  outer  mar- 
gin of  fin  concave ;  caudal  rounded ;  colors  brilliant. 

528.  Doratonotus  megalepis  Giinther. 

Doratonotus  megalepis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  125 

(Caribbean   Sea)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.   Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1611. 
Doratonotus  thalassinus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884, 

28  (Key  West,  Fla.). 
Doratonotus  decoris  Evermann  &  Marsh,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm., 

XXV,  1899  (1900),  354  (Ponce,  Porto  Rico);  Breder,  Zoologica, 

IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  155,  fig.  38  (Caledonia  Bay). 

Head  3.1  to  3.55;  depth  2.66  to  3.13;  D.  IX,  9  or  10;  A.  Ill,  9; 
scales  20  to  25. 

Body  rather  deep,  strongly  compressed;  the  back  considerably  ele- 
vated; profile  from  snout  to  nape  straight  or  slightly  concave;  head 
rather  deep;  snout  sharply  pointed,  notably  longer  than  eye,  its  length 
2.9  to  4.0  in  head ;  eye  4.05  to  4.82 ;  mouth  rather  small,  the  gaps  fail- 
ing to  reach  anterior  margin  of  eye ;  jaws  equal ;  maxillary  posteriorly 
covered  by  the  preorbital,  3.0  to  4.5  in  head;  teeth  strong;  each  jaw 
with  2  canines  in  front,  the  teeth  next  to  the  canines  somewhat  en- 
larged; other  teeth  short,  rather  pointed;  gill-rakers  extremely  weak, 
about  6  slightly  developed;  gill-membranes  united,  free  from  the  isth- 
mus; scales  large,  extending  up  on  base  of  dorsal  and  anal;  cheeks, 
opercle,  and  preopercle  scaly;  lateral  line  interrupted  near  end  of 
dorsal,  reappearing  on  middle  of  caudal  peduncle;  pores  in  anterior 
portion  slightly  branched;  dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  the  first  2 
with  filamentous  appendages,  the  second  spine  the  longest,  from  thence 
decreasing  in  length  to  fourth  or  fifth  spine,  the  posterior  spines  gradu- 
ated, soft  portion  higher  than  the  spines,  without  elevated  lobe;  cau- 
dal slightly  rounded;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to 
that  of  dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  an  elongate  scale  between  them; 
pectoral  rather  broad,  1.5  to  1.8  in  head. 

Color  variable,  pale  green  to  deep  green  in  life ;  sides  usually  with 
2  or  3  more  or  less  distinct,  pinkish,  longitudinal  bands,  these  slightly 
visible  as  pale  streaks  in  preserved  specimens;  sides  various,  without 
trace  of  maroon  spots  or  blotches,  with  few  maroon  dots,  or  with  ir- 


732  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

regular  spots,  blotches  and  bars,  becoming  dusky  in  spirits;  a  dark 
opercular  blotch  usually  present;  a  very  short  brownish  bar  just  back 
of  eye  seldom  wanting ;  a  dark  brown  bar  from  eye  to  snout  present  on 
specimens  bearing  maroon  markings;  iris  deep  green,  with  red  border 
around  pupil;  fins  in  some  specimens  all  plain  green,  with  pinkish 
margin,  reddish  in  others  and  variously  spotted  or  barred  with  dusky 
or  maroon ;  a  very  small,  dark  spot  often  present  on  membrane  between 
last  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal;  base  of  caudal  often  with  a  dark  red  or 
rusty  bar,  sometimes  with  blotches  of  the  same  color  near  tips  of  outer 
rays  of  fin,  these  occasionally  confluent,  forming  a  bar. 

Of  this  species  we  have  22  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  30 
to  60  mm. 

Known  from  Florida  southward  to  Panama.  It  apparently  is  a 
rather  rare  species.  Our  specimens  were  all  taken  from  among  eel-grass 
in  Fox  Bay,  Colon,  and  at  Porto  Bello. 

Family  LXII.    Scaridae. 

THE  PAKROT-FISHES. 

Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed;  mouth  moderate,  terminal; 
lips  not  thickened;  teeth  in  the  jaws  coalesced,  at  least  at  the  base, 
usually  forming  continuous  plates,  with  an  externally  evident  median 
suture,  often  with  one  or  more  free  canines  above  the  cutting  edge; 
no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines;  lower  pharyngeals  large,  forming  a 
quadrangle,  with  a  more  or  less  concave  surface;  scales  large,  cycloid, 
23  to  26  in  lateral  series ;  dorsal  fin  continuous,  its  formula  almost  con- 
stantly IX,  10,  the  spines  weak  and  flexible  or  stiff  and  pungent ;  anal 
constantly  III,  9,  the  spines  very  weak,  the  first  one  often  overlooked. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Teeth  not  fully  coalesced,  not  forming  continuous  plates;  the 
anterior  teeth   enlarged,  often  more  or  less   canine-like;   the 
median  suture  of  jaws  not  evident  externally. 

Cryptotomus,  p.  733. 

aa.     Teeth  in  jaws  fully  coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates;  the 
median  suture  of  jaws  evident  externally. 

b.  Dorsal  spines  flexible;  lower  jaw  included  in  the  upper  when 
mouth  is  closed;  cheeks  with  2  or  more  rows  of  scales;  lower 
pharyngeals  much  longer  than  broad. 

c.  Teeth  pale.  Scarus,  p.  735. 
cc.     Teeth  bluish  or  green.                                 Pseudoscarus,  p.  744. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       733 

bb.     Dorsal  spines  stiff,  pungent;  upper  jaw  included  in  the  lower 
when  mouth  is  closed.  Sparisoma,  p.  747. 


193.  Genus  Cryptotomus  Cope. 

Calliodon  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  II,  II,  1829,  266  (type  Scarus 

spindens  Quoy  &  Gaimard ;  not  Calliodon  of  Gronow  or  of  Bloch  & 

Schneider). 
Cryptotomus  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV,  1871,  462 

(type  Cryptotomus  roseus  Cope). 

Lateral  teeth  of  upper  jaw  coalescent,  forming  a  more  or  less 
complete  cutting  edge;  the  anterior  teeth  more  separate,  often  devel- 
oped as  canines ;  free  canines  often  present  on  side  of  upper  jaw ; 
lower  jaw  laterally  with  a  single  series  of  partly  coalescent  teeth,  an- 
teriorly with  2  or  more  series  of  more  separate  teeth,  some  of  these 
often  enlarged,  more  or  less  canine-like;  the  median  suture  of  jaws 
not  evident  externally;  scales  large,  a  single  row  on  cheeks,  4  or  5  on 
median  line  before  dorsal;  dorsal  spines  flexible. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES.* 

a.  Body  deep,  rather  strongly  compressed,  its  depth  3.08  to  3.2 
in  its  length;  anterior  teeth  in  lower  jaw  not  larger  than  the 
lateral  ones.  ustus,  p.  733. 

aa.  Body  very  slender,  little  compressed,  its  depth  4.1  to  4.3  in  its 
length;  anterior  teeth  in  lower  jaw  larger  than  the  lateral  ones. 

roseus,  p.  734. 

529.  Cryptotomus  ustus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Callyodon  ustus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV,  1839, 

286,  PI.  CCCCV  (Brazil)  ;  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862, 

214;  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  541  (note  on  type.) 
Cryptotomus  ustus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  226;  Jordan  & 

Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1624. 

Head  3.24  to  3.25;  depth  3.08  to  3.2;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  8  or  9; 
scales  24  or  25. 

Body  rather  deep,  compressed ;  the  back  moderately  elevated ;  head 
rather  short  and  deep,  its  anterior  profile  rather  steep,  convex;  snout 
rather  long  and  blunt,  its  length  2.0  to  2.44  in  head;  eye  5.06  to  5.15; 

*A  third  species,  Cryptotomus  margarita  Fowler  (Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila., 
I9J7»  I33)»  from  Colon,  has  been  described  since  these  pages  were  prepared. 
C.  margarita  differs  from  both  species  described  here  in  having  two  rows  of  scales 
on  the  cheeks. 


734  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

mouth  small,  horizontal;  jaws  subequal;  preorbital  wide;  anterior 
teeth  in  upper  jaw  enlarged,  canine-like;  sides  of  jaw  Usually  with 
one  or  more  canines  curved  outward  and  backward,  these  entirely 
wanting  on  one  side  in  our  smaller  specimens ;  anterior  teeth  in  lower 
jaw  not  larger  than  the  lateral  ones;  gill-membranes  broadly  united, 
attached  to  the  isthmus;  scales  large,  slightly  enlarged  on  the  chest, 
3  in  advance  of  ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the  former  with 
a  single  row;  lateral  line  slightly  interrupted  posteriorly,  commencing 
again  slightly  lower  down  on  middle  of  caudal  peduncle,  the  pores  much 
branched;  dorsal  with  9  flexible  spines;  caudal  fin  slightly  rounded; 
anal  with  3  flexible  spines,  the  first  very  small,  close  to  the  second  one 
(easily  overlooked),  the  soft  portion  of  fin  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal; 
ventrals  slightly  shorter  than  pectorals,  the  latter  1.65  in  head. 

Color  of  alcoholic  specimens  olive-gray  above,  pale  below;  some 
of  the  scales  with  dark  bases,  these  often  more  or  less  grouped  so  as 
to  form  indistinct  bars  and  blotches  on  back  and  sides ;  cheek  and 
opercle  with  a  large  bluish  area ;  upper  lip  dusky ;  dorsal,  caudal  and 
anal  all  pale,  with  dusky  bars  or  spots,  the  membrane  between  the  first 
2  spines  black ;  ventrals  and  pectorals  pale ;  no  distinct  axillary  spot. 

We  have  only  2  specimens  of  this  species,  respectively,  150  and  200 
mm.  in  length. 

We  have  compared  the  types  (3  specimens)  of  C.  beryllinus, 
from  Key  West,  Florida,  ranging  from  1 10  to  135  mm.  in  length,  with 
our  material  and  are  unable  to  find  any  difference,  except  the  absence 
of  the  lateral  canines  in  the  former.  In  our  smaller  specimen,  150 
mm.  long,  these  canines  are  entirely  wanting  on  one  side,  while  the 
other  side  has  but  a  single  small  one;  our  large  specimen,  200  mm. 
long,  has  3  well  developed  canines  on  one  side  and  2  on  the  other. 
The  material  at  hand,  therefore,  indicates  that  the  lateral  canines  are 
wanting  in  the  young,  but  develop  with  age,  as  is  shown  to  be  the 
case  in  C.  roseus.  More  material  will  very  probably  show  conclu- 
sively that  C.  beryllinus  is  the  young  of  C.  ustus. 

Known  from  South  Carolina  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are 
from  the  Colon  market. 

530.  Cryptotomus  roseus  Cope. 

Cryptotomus  roseus  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV,  1871, 
462  (St.  Martins)  ;  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  228  (note 
on  type)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  1626. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       735 

Head  3.15  to  347;  depth  4.1  to  4.3;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
22  to  25. 

Body  slender,  a  little  compressed ;  the  back  scarcely  elevated ;  head 
low,  rather  long;  snout  abruptly  pointed,  slightly  depressed,  its  length 
2.75  to  3.7  in  head;  eye  3.85  to  4.62;  mouth  small,  horizontal;  jaws 
subequal;  anterior  teeth  in  upper  jaw  enlarged,  canine-like,  directed 
forward,  separate  to  base,  the  larger  specimens  at  hand  with  one  or 
two  canines  in  side  of  upper  jaw,  curved  outward  and  backward, 
these  entirely  wanting  in  very  young  (specimens  50  mm.  long)  ;  an- 
terior teeth  in  lower  jaw  enlarged,  more  or  less  canine-like;  no  pos- 
terior canines;  gill-membranes  broadly  united,  connected  with  the 
isthmus;  scales  large,  notably  enlarged  on  chest,  3  scales  in  advance 
of  ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the  former  with  a  single  row; 
lateral  line  slightly  interrupted  posteriorly,  the  pores  in  anterior  por- 
tion much  branched;  dorsal  with  9  very  weak  spines,  the  soft  por- 
tion low;  caudal  slightly  truncate,  the  lower  rays  a  little  longer  than 
the  upper  ones ;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  first  one  extremely  small, 
the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals  about  as  long 
as  postorbital  part  of  head;  pectorals  moderate,  1.53  to  1.9  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  grayish  above,  pale  below;  fins  pale;  caudal  with 
about  8  narrow  dark  cross-bars ;  pectorals  with  a  black  axillary  spot. 
Our  specimens  entirely  without  cross-bars ;  very  young  with  a  narrow, 
pale  streak,  extending  from  above  base  of  pectorals  to  base  of  caudal. 

This  species  is  represented  in  the  present  collection  by  5  specimens, 
ranging  in  length  from  50  to  85  mm.  We  have  also  examined  2  speci- 
mens, respectively  85  and  1 10  mm.  in  length,  from  Bahia,  Brazil. 

The  presence  of  free  lateral  canines  appears  to  be  an  age  charac- 
ter. Our  smallest  specimens,  50  mm.  in  length,  are  entirely  without 
them;  specimens  60  and  65  mm.  long  have  them  slightly  developed. 
When  the  fish  reaches  a  length  of  80  mm.  they  have  become  quite 
evident.  In  other  respects  our  smallest  specimens  agree  perfectly  with 
the  larger  ones. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

194.  Genus  Scarus  Forskal. 

Scarus    Forskal,    Descr.    Animal.,    1775,    25    (type    Scarus    psittacus 

Forskal). 
Calliodon  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  312  (type  Calliodon 

lineatus  Bloch  &  Schneider). 


736  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Hemistoma  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  226  (type 

Scarus  pepo  Bennett  =  Hemistoma  reticulata  Swainson). 
Eyrchthys  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  226  (type 

Labrus  croicensis  Bloch). 
Chlorurus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.   &  Class.  Fish.,  II,   1839,  227  (type 

Scarus  gibbus  Riippell). 

Body  rather  robust,  compressed;  head  rather  short  and  deep; 
snout  blunt;  upper  lip  laterally  double,  the  inner  fold  becoming  very 
narrow  or  disappearing  anteriorly;  lower  jaw  included;  teeth  in  the 
jaws  fully  coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates;  each  jaw  with  an 
evident  median  suture ;  free  canines  present  or  wanting ;  lower  pharyn- 
geals  in  the  form  of  a  rectangle,  nearly  twice  as  long  as  wide,  trans- 
versely concave ;  upper  pharyngeals  separate,  each  with  one  large  and 
one  small  row  of  teeth ;  gill-membranes  scarcely  united  to  the  isthmus ; 
scales  large,  22  to  26  in  a  lateral  series;  lateral  line  interrupted  pos- 
teriorly, commencing  again  lower  down  on  caudal  peduncle,  the  tubes 
more  or  less  branched;  dorsal  fin  constantly  with  9  flexible  spines  and 
10  soft  rays ;  anal  with  3  flexible  spines,  the  first  one  very  small,  hid- 
den in  the  skin,  therefore  easily  overlooked,  soft  rays  constantly  9  in 
number. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Upper  jaw  with  i  to  4  free  canines  posteriorly  near  angle  of 
mouth. 

b.  Posterior  canines  i  or  2. 

c.  Sides  with  a  wide  yellowish  longitudinal  band  extending  from 
eye  backward,  becoming  indistinct  on  posterior  part  of  body; 
caudal  fin  with  alternating  green  and  yellowish  longitudinal 
streaks ;  dorsal  mesially  orange,  with  one  or  two  rows  of  green 
spots.  punctulatus,  p.  737. 

cc.  Sides  plain  brownish,  no  longitudinal  bands;  caudal  plain 
brownish,  the  outer  rays  darker  in  spirits,  bluish  green  in  life; 
dorsal  without  spots.  noyesi,  p.  738. 

bb.  Posterior  canines  3  or  4;  color  uniformly  brownish;  fins  pale 
and  plain.  trispinosus,  p.  739. 

aa.     Upper  jaw  without  canines. 

d.  Cheeks  with  2  rows  of  5  or  6  scales  each,  and  a  third  partial 
row  with  i  to  4  scales. 

e.  The  scales  in  the  upper  row  on  cheeks  much  larger  than  those 
in  the  second  row ;  third  row  with  i  or  2  scales. 

cceruleus,  p.  739. 
ee.     The  scales  in  the  upper  2  rows  of  about  equal  size. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       737 

f .  The  third,  or  partial  row,  with  3  or  4  scales ;  sides  with  2  brown 
longitudnial  bands.  croicensis,  p.  741. 

f  f .     Third  row  with  only  one  small  scale ;  sides  without  bands. 

azureus  sp.  nov.,  p.  742. 

dd.  Cheeks  with  3  rows  of  6  or  7  scales  each,  and  a  third  or  par- 
tial row  with  2  small  scales;  color  very  dark  brown  or  black 
above,  of  a  lighter  brown  below ;  no  stripes  or  bars  present. 

nigrescens  sp.  nov.,  p.  743. 

531.  Scarus  punctulatus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Scarus  punctulatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV, 

1839,  195  (Martinique)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1645. 
Scarus  diadema  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV,  1839, 

198  (Martinique). 
Pseudoscarus  tcsniopterus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  226 

(Trinidad;  not  of  Desmarest). 
Pseudoscarus  punctulatus  Guichenot,  Mem.  Soc.  Sci.  Nat.  Cherbourg, 

XI,  1865,  26. 
Scarus  tceniopterus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  47. 

Head  2.8  to  3.3;  depth  2.62  to  3.0;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
24  or  25. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  dorsal 
profile  anteriorly  gently  convex;  dorsal  outline  more  strongly  convex 
than  the  ventral ;  head  moderate ;  snout  very  blunt,  with  a  small  fleshy 
pad  on  its  upper  surface,  its  length  2.35  to  2.57  in  head;  eye  5.0  to 
6.1 ;  mouth  small,  not  reaching  half  way  to  eye;  lower  jaw  included; 
teeth  fully  coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates ;  each  jaw  with  an 
evident  median  suture;  upper  jaw  with  one  or  two  free  canines  pos- 
teriorly near  angle  of  mouth;  gill-membranes  scarcely  connected; 
scales  large,  not  reduced  on  chest,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  head 
largely  scaly;  cheeks  with  2  rows  of  6  scales  each  and  a  third  row 
with  3  scales,  those  of  the  upper  row  scarcely  larger  than  in  the  next 
row;  lateral  line  interrupted  under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  reappear- 
ing lower  down  on  caudal  peduncle,  most  of  the  pores  more  or  less 
branched;  dorsal  spines  flexible,  each  with  a  fleshy  tip,  not  much  dif- 
ferent from  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  slightly  rounded,  without  produced 
angles  in  specimens  at  hand;  anal  with  3  flexible  spines,  the  first  one 
very  small,  often  overlooked,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the 
dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  shorter  than  pectorals,  the  latter  1.3  to  1.45 
in  head. 


738     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Color  dark  brown  above,  becoming  reddish  to  olivaceous  on  sides 
and  below;  a  yellow  longitudinal  band  from  eye  backward,  becoming 
indistinct  and  disappearing  posteriorly,  narrow  on  head,  a  brown  stripe, 
about  as  wide  as  eye  below  it,  bordered  above  and  below  by  green  stripes, 
extending  forward,  one  above  the  eye  and  the  other  below  it,  the  upper 
one  meeting  its  fellow  on  forehead  and  the  lower  one  meeting  its  fellow 
on  the  upper  lip;  lower  jaw  with  a  green  band  extending  from  slightly 
back  of  angle  of  mouth  to  opposite  side ;  lower  part  of  head  with  several 
bright  green  blotches,  at  least  along  margin  of  opercle;  dorsal  and  anal 
each  with  dark  green  bases  and  margins,  mesially  orange,  with  one  or 
two  rows  of  greenish  spots  of  different  sizes ;  in  one  specimen  the  anal 
with  but  a  single  row  of  round  spots ;  outer  rays  of  caudal  deep  green, 
the  rest  of  fin  with  more  or  less  distinct  alternating  green  and  yellowish 
longitudinal  stripes;  ventrals  pale  green;  pectorals  pale  yellowish,  the 
axil  not  dusky ;  teeth  pale. 

Only  2  specimens  of  this  species,  175  and  185  mm.  in  length,  were 
secured. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Porto  Bello.  The  species  was  previously  recorded  only  from  the  West 
Indies. 

532.  Scarus  noyesi  Heller  &  Snodgrass. 

Scarus  noyesi  Heller  &  Snodgrass,  Proc.  Wash.  Ac.  Sci.,  V,  1903,  206, 

PI.  IX  (Albemarle  Id.). 
Callyodon  noyesi  Snodgrass  &  Heller,  Proc.  Wash.  Ac.  Sci.,  VI,  1904 

(1905),  397;   Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.   Mus.   Comp.  Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  142  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  2.9;  depth  2.16;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  25. 

Body  rather  deep,  compressed ;  the  back  considerably  elevated ; 
dorsal  outline  more  strongly  convex  than  the  ventral;  profile  from 
snout  to  dorsal  about  evenly  convex ;  head  short  and  deep ;  snout  long, 
not  very  blunt,  its  length  2.0  in  head;  eye  7.7;  mouth  rather  small, 
reaching  scarcely  half  way  to  eye ;  lower  jaw  included ;  teeth  fully 
coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates,  each  jaw  with  a  distinct  median 
suture ;  upper  jaw  with  2  posterior,  conical  canines,  directed  outward ; 
gill-membranes  nearly  separate;  scales  large,  not  much  reduced  on 
chest,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  most  of  head  scaly;  cheeks  with  2 
rows  of  6  scales  each  and  a  third  row  with  3  scales,  those  of  the  up- 
per rows  of  about  equal  size;  lateral  line  interrupted  under  posterior 
rays  of  dorsal,  beginning  again  lower  down  on  caudal  peduncle,  the 
pores  variously  branched;  dorsal  fin  with  9  flexible  spines,  the  spines 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       739 

and  soft  rays  of  about  equal  length,  the  last  rays  slightly  longer  than 
the  rest;  caudal  deeply  concave,  the  angles  much  produced,  especially 
the  upper  one;  anal  with  3  spines,  first  one  hidden  in  the  skin  (easily 
overlooked),  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals 
moderate,  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1.34  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  uniform  brownish,  scarcely  paler  below  than 
above ;  a  yellowish  band  extending  from  back  of  angle  of  mouth  down- 
ward and  forward  across  chin ;  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  dark  base  and 
margin ;  caudal  brownish,  the  outer  rays  darkest ;  ventrals  plain  brown- 
ish ;  pectorals  dusky,  with  a  wide,  pale  margin ;  teeth  pale. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  a  single 
large  specimen  515  mm.  in  length  from  Panama  Bay,  taken  by  the 
Albatross,  either  at  Perico  Island  or  Panama  and  recorded  by  Kendall 
&  Radcliffe  (Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  p.  142). 

Known  from  Panama  south  to  the  Galapagos  Islands. 

533.  Scarus  trispinosus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes. 

Scarus  trispinosus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV, 

1839,  182  (Brazil)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1648. 
Scarus  quadrispinosus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV, 

1839,  197  (Martinique)  ;  Guichenot,  Mem.  Soc.  Sci.  Nat.  Cherbourg, 

XI,  1865,  27  (note  on  type). 
Pseudoscarus  trispinosus  Guichenot,  Mem.  Soc.  Sci.  Nat.  Cherbourg, 

XI,  1865,  23  (note  on  type). 
Pseudoscarus  quadrispinosus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  542 

(note  on  type). 

Snout  rather  long ;  upper  jaw  with  3  or  4  posterior  canines ;  cheeks 
with  2^2  to  3  rows  of  scales.  Color  of  dry  skin  brownish;  fins  ap- 
parently plain  and  pale ;  no  axillary  spot ;  teeth  pale. 

Known  to  us  only  from  meager  descriptions  of  dried  skins. 

Recorded  from  Martinique  and  Brazil. 

534.  Scarus  coeruleus  (Bloch). 

Corphycena  ccerulea  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  II,   1786,   148,  PI. 

CLXXVI  (in  part;  after  Catesby  and  a  figure  of  Aubriet,  altered 

from  a  figure  by  Plumier). 
Scarus  loro  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  288  (after  Loro 

of  Parra). 
Scarus  cceruleus  Bloch  &  Schneider,   Syst.  Ichth.,   1801,  288    (after 

Catesby  and  Trompa  of  Parra)  ;  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm., 


740     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

XV,  1887(1891),  686;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  1652,  PL  CCXLIV,  fig.  613,  jaws. 
Scarus  trilobatus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  21   (Martin- 
ique ;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier) . 

fSparus  holocyaneos  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  45  (Mar- 
tinique ;  on  a  copy  by  Aubriet  of  a  drawing  of  Plumier) . 
Scarus  obtusus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  217  (Cuba;  adult). 
Scarus  nuchalis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  220  (Cuba;  young). 
Pseudoscarus  chloris  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,   1862,  227 

(not  Scarus  chloris  Bloch  &  Schneider). 

Pseudoscarus  caruleus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  227. 
Pseudoscarus  nuchalis  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  348. 
Pseudoscarus  obtusus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  349. 

Head  3.16  to  3.6;  depth  2.85  to  3.2;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
24  to  26. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  the  dorsal  outline  more 
strongly  convex  than  the  ventral;  head,  not  much  longer  than  deep; 
snout  very  blunt,  with  a  well  developed  fleshy  pad  on  its  upper  sur- 
face, its  length  2.34  to  2.7  in  head ;  eye  5.15  to  6.4;  mouth  small,  reach- 
ing about  half  way  to  eye;  lower  jaw  included;  teeth  fully  coalesced, 
forming  continuous  plates;  each  jaw  with  a  very  evident  median 
suture;  no  free  canines;  gill-membranes  slightly  connected;  scales 
large,  not  much  reduced  on  chest,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  most  of 
head  scaly ;  cheeks  with  2  rows  of  6  scales  each,  and  a  third  row  with 
one  or  two  scales,  those  on  the  upper  row  much  larger  than  those  on 
the  second  row;  lateral  line  interrupted  under  posterior  rays  of  dor- 
sal, beginning  again  lower  down  on  caudal  peduncle,  the  pores  more 
or  less  branched;  dorsal  with  9  flexible  spines,  each  with  a  fleshy  tip, 
not  much  different  from  the  soft  rays;  caudal  notably  concave  in 
adult,  with  the  angles  produced ;  anal  spines  3,  the  first  one  very  small 
(often  overlooked),  weak  and  flexible  like  those  of  the  dorsal;  ven- 
trals moderate,  not  much  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1.32 
to  1.57  in  head. 

Color  dark  green  to  slightly  grayish  green  above,  becoming  of  a 
lighter  shade  on  sides  and  below ;  no  stripes  or  bars  of  any  kind  visi- 
ble on  our  preserved  specimens ;  lips  a  deep  blue  green ;  dorsal  and 
anal  very  deep  blue  green,  almost  black,  each  with  bright  green  mar- 
gin; caudal  slightly  paler,  the  outer  rays  bright  green;  ventrals  and 
pectorals  mostly  greenish,  the  latter  without  a  black  axillary  spot; 
teeth  white. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      741 

Of  this  species  only  3  specimens,  ranging  from  275  to  300  mm.  in 
length,  were  secured.  We  have  compared  these  with  specimens  from 
the  West  Indies. 

Known  from  Maryland  southward  to  Trinidad.  Our  specimens  are 
from  the  Colon  market  and  Porto  Bello. 

535.  Scarus  croicensis  Bloch. 

Scarus  croicensis  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  IV,  1790,  27,  PI.  CCXXI 

(St.  Croix)  ;  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI,  1882 

(1883),  938;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1650;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  156  (Caledonia  Bay). 
Scarus  insulcs-sanctce-crucis  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  285 

(St.  Croix;  after  Bloch). 
Calliodon  lineatus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  312,  PI.  LXII, 

fig.  2  (after  Gronow). 
Erychthys  croicensis  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  226 

(name  only). 
Scarus   alternans    Cuvier    &   Valenciennes,    Hist.    Nat.    Poiss.,   XIV, 

1839,  200  (Martinique). 
Pseudoscarus  sanctce  crucis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862, 

226. 

Pseudoscarus  lineolatus  Poey,  Repertorio,  II,  1868,  375  (Cuba). 
Scarus  sancta-crucis  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV,  1871, 

461. 
? 'Scarus  croicensis  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser., 

1913,  6 1  (Natal,  Brazil). 

Head  2.9  to  3.3;  depth  3.1  to  3.65;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
22  to  25. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  the  back  moderately  elevated ;  dorsal 
profile  anteriorly  gently  convex;  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about 
evenly  curved;  head  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  snout  rather 
blunt,  a  fleshy  pad  on  its  upper  surface  more  or  less  developed,  its 
length  2.84  to  3.6  in  head ;  eye  3.6  to  4.85 ;  mouth  small,  not  reaching 
half  way  to  eye;  lower  jaw  slightly  included;  teeth  fully  coalesced, 
forming  continuous  plates;  each  jaw  with  an  evident  median  suture; 
canines  wanting ;  gill-membranes  slightly  united ;  scales  large,  not  notably 
reduced  on  chest,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  head  largely  scaly;  cheeks 
with  2  rows  of  6  scales  each,  and  a  third  row  with  3  or  4  scales,  those 
of  the  upper  row  scarcely  larger  than  those  of  the  second  row;  lateral 
line  interrupted  under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  reappearing  lower  down 
on  caudal  peduncle,  the  anterior  pores  branched ;  dorsal  with  9  flexible 


742     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

spines,  the  soft  rays  slightly  higher  than  the  spines;  caudal  slightly 
rounded,  the  angles  not  produced ;  anal  spines  quite  as  weak  as  those  of 
the  dorsal ;  ventrals  moderate,  slightly  shorter  than  pectorals,  the  latter 
1.35  to  1.78  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  brown  above,  pale  or  pale  brown  below ;  sides  with 
2  brown  longitudinal  bands,  the  upper  one  from  eye  to  upper  base  of 
caudal,  the  lower  one  from  base  of  pectoral  to  lower  base  of  caudal; 
abdomen  on  each  side  with  3  narrow,  pale  lines;  breast  with  similar 
stripes,  but  less  distinct ;  fins  all  plain ;  pectoral  without  dark  blotch  at 
base;  teeth  pale. 

Of  this  species  we  have  31  specimens,  ranging  from  30  to  65  mm. 
in  length. 

Known  from  Key  West  southward  to  Natal,  Brazil.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Toro  Point ;  Fox  Bay,  Colon ;  and  Porto  Bello. 

536.  Scams  azureus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXII,  fig.  i.) 

Type  No.  81778,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  205  mm.;  Panama  City, 
Panama. 

Head  3.36;  depth  2.85;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  24. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines 
about  evenly  convex;  profile  over  snout  straight,  from  eyes  to  dorsal 
very  gently  convex;  head  rather  deep,  compressed;  snout  blunt,  with 
a  moderately  developed  fleshy  pad  on  its  upper  surface,  its  length  2.6 
in  head;  eye  5.55;  mouth  small,  reaching  less  than  half  way  to  eye; 
lower  jaw  included ;  teeth  fully  coalesced ;  each  jaw  with  a  very  evident 
median  suture;  free  canines  wanting;  gill-membranes  separate;  scales 
large,  not  much  reduced  on  chest,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals ;  head  largely 
scaly ;  cheeks  with  2  rows  of  6  scales  each,  and  a  third  row  with  one  small 
scale,  those  of  the  upper  rows  of  about  equal  size;  lateral  line  inter- 
rupted under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  beginning  again  lower  down  on 
caudal  peduncle ;  dorsal  fin  with  9  flexible  spines,  each  with  a  fleshy  tip, 
of  about  the  same  length  as  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  fin  with  its  posterior 
margin  nearly  straight,  the  upper  rays  very  slightly  produced,  forming 
a  sharp  angle,  the  lower  lobe  rounded ;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  first  one 
very  small,  hidden  in  the  skin  (easily  overlooked),  the  soft  portion 
similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  only  slightly  shorter 
than  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1.35  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  plain  grayish  above,  paler  below ;  in  life  bluish,  the 
margin  of  scales  on  back  and  sides  yellowish;  a  blue  bar  across  fore- 
head from  eye  to  eye,  thence  backward,  soon  becoming  indistinct ;  another 
blue  band  extending  from  underneath  eye  to  angle  of  mouth,  thence 


z   2 

CO     V 


O    v 
CO  £ 


LIBRAftf 
OF  m 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       743 

forward  around  tip  of  snout ;  a  third  blue  band  from  back  of  angle  of 
mouth  downward  and  forward  across  chin ;  dorsal  and  anal  each  brick- 
red,  with  a  narrow  blue  streak  at  base  and  on  margin,  caudal  pinkish, 
with  upper  and  lower  rays  and  posterior  margin  sky-blue;  ventrals 
pinkish ;  pectorals  yellow,  upper  ray  sky-blue ;  teeth  pale. 

A  single  specimen,  205  mm.  in  length,  purchased  in  the  Panama  City 
market,  is  present  in  the  collection. 

It  differs  from  5.  noyesi,  the  only  other  species  of  this  genus 
recorded  from  the  west  coast  of  Panama,  chiefly  in  the  absence  of  free 
canines,  and  in  the  arrangement  of  the  scales  on  the  cheeks. 

537.  Scarus  nigrescens  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXII,  fig.  2.) 

Type  No.  81764,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  105  mm.;  Porto  Bello, 
Panama. 

Head  2.9;  depth  3.25;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  25. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed ;  the  back  not  greatly  ele- 
vated ;  profile  slightly  concave  above  snout,  from  thence  to  origin  of 
dorsal  gently  convex;  head  rather  long  and  low,  compressed;  snout 
moderately  pointed,  its  length  2.5  in  head ;  eye  4.62 ;  mouth  small, 
reaching  less  than  half  che  distance  to  eye;  lower  jaw  slightly  included; 
teeth  fully  coalesced ;  each  jaw  anteriorly  with  a  very  distinct  median 
suture ;  no  free  canines ;  gill-membranes  scarcely  connected ;  scales 
large,  not  reduced  on  chest,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  head  mostly 
scaly ;  cheeks  with  3  rows  of  6  or  7  scales  each,  and  a  fourth  row  with 
only  2  small  scales,  those  of  the  upper  row  not  much  larger  than  those 
of  the  next  two  rows ;  lateral  line  interrupted  under  or  slightly  back  of 
base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal,  reappearing  lower  down  on  caudal  peduncle, 
some  of  the  pores  slightly  branched;  dorsal  with  9  flexible  spines,  of 
about  equal  length,  not  much  different  from  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  very 
slightly  rounded ;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  first  one  very  small,  the 
soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventrals  moderately  developed, 
somewhat  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1.42  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  very  dark  brown  or  nearly  black  above,  this  color 
changing  abruptly  to  a  lighter  brown  on  a  straight  line  drawn  from  a 
little  above  base  of  pectoral  to  middle  of  base  of  caudal ;  the  lower  sur- 
face of  head  and  chest  pale  brown ;  body  and  fins  entirely  without  spots 
or  bars;  dorsal  and  caudal  nearly  black;  anal  somewhat  paler;  ventrals 
slightly  dusky ;  pectorals  plain  or  translucent ;  teeth  pale. 

We  have  a  single  example  of  this  species,  105  mm.  in  length,  taken 
at  Porto  Bello. 


744     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

This  fish  appears  to  differ  from  all  other  species  of  this  genus  in 
the  very  dark,  and  plain  coloration.  The  scaling  of  the  cheeks  at  once 
separates  it  from  all  other  species  in  which  the  free  posterior  canines 
are  wanting.  In  general  appearance  it  resembles  S.  cuzamila,  known 
only  from  Cozumel  Island,  but  it  of  course  lacks  the  posterior  canines 
present  in  that  species,  and  it  has  but  2  very  small  scales  in  the  fourth  row 
on  the  cheeks,  while  in  5.  cuzamilce  the  fourth  row  is  composed  of  4 
scales  which  are  not  much  smaller  than  those  of  the  rows  above. 

195.  Genus  Pseudoscarus  Bleeker. 

Pseudoscarus  Bleeker,  Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,  XII,   1861,  230   (type 

Pseudoscarus  microrrhinos  Bleeker) . 
Loro  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895  C1^^), 

418  (type  Scarus  guacamaia  Cuvier). 

Teeth  in  the  jaw  deep  green  or  blue,  fully  coalesced ;  each  jaw  ante- 
riorly with  a  very  evident  median  suture.  Other  characters  as  in  Scarus. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Cheeks  with  2  rows  of  5  or  6  scales  each,  and  a  third  row  with 
one  or  occasionally  2  scales;  fin  spines  enveloped  in  a  rather 
thin  coat  of  skin ;  caudal  fin  slightly  double  concave  in  adult,  the 
angles  produced.  guacamaia,  p.  744. 

aa.  Cheeks  with  only  2  rows  of  6  scales  each;  fin  spines  enveloped 
in  a  very  heavy  coat  of  skin;  caudal  fin  slightly  rounded  at  all 
ages,  the  angles  never  produced.  perrico,  p.  745. 

538.  Pseudoscarus  guacamaia  (Cuvier). 

Guacamaya  Parra,  Desc.  Piezas  de  Hist.  Nat.,  1787,  54,  PI.  XXVI 

(Cuba). 
Scarus  guacamaia  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  II,  II,  1829,  265  (no 

description;  based  on  Parra). 
Scarus  turchesius  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV,  1839, 

181  (Porto  Rico). 

Scarus  rostratus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  221  (Havana). 
Pseudoscarus  turchesius  Poey,  Repertorio,  I,  1866,  317. 
Pseudoscarus  rostratus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  349. 
Pseudoscarus  guacamaia  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  233 ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1657, 

PI.  CCXLVI,  fig.  617. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       745 

Hemistoma  guacamaia  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882  (1883),  607. 

Head  2.9  to  3.3;  depth  2.3  to  2.8;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
23  to  25. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  moderately  elevated;  profile 
slightly  depressed  over  and  in  front  of  eyes,  no  trace  of  a  fleshy  pad  on 
head ;  heard  moderately  elongate ;  snout  more  pointed  than  in  P.  perrico, 
its  length  2.1  to  2.9  in  head;  eye  4.55  to  6.8;  mouth  small,  its  posterior 
angle  slightly  nearer  eye  than  tip  of  snout ;  jaws  subequal ;  teeth  on  lower 
jaw  included;  teeth  fully  coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates,  with  a 
very  evident  median  suture;  no  free  canines;  gill-membranes  slightly 
connected  across  isthmus ;  scales  large,  those  on  chest  of  about  the  same 
size  as  those  on  sides,  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles 
scaly,  the  former  with  2  rows  of  5  or  6  scales  each  and  a  third  row 
represented  by  one  and  occasionally  by  2  scales ;  lateral  line  interrupted 
under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  reappearing  lower  down  on  middle  of 
caudal  peduncle,  most  of  the  pores  branched;  dorsal  fin  with  9  flexible 
spines,  each  enveloped  in  a  rather  thin  coat  of  skin,  the  soft  rays  slightly 
longer  than  the  spines ;  caudal  evenly  rounded  in  young,  slightly  double 
concave  in  adult,  with  the  angles  produced ;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  front 
one  very  small,  often  overlooked,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of 
dorsal;  ventrals  slightly  shorter  than  pectorals,  the  latter,  1.28  to  1.6 
in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  olive  brown  to  dark  brown,  paler  below ;  dorsal  with 
more  or  less  distinct  dusky  spots,  and  a  bluish  margin ;  caudal  more  or 
less  dusky,  darker  toward  margin ;  anal  dusky,  with  dark  green  margin ; 
ventrals  mostly  pale,  sometimes  with  faint  brownish  spots;  pectorals 
bluish  brown ;  teeth  very  dark  green. 

Of  this  species  5  specimens  were  secured,  the  smallest  95  and  the 
largest  220  mm.  in  length.  We  examined  other  specimens  from  Key 
West,  Florida ;  St.  Thomas ;  Jamaica ;  and  Cozumel.  The  largest  speci- 
men seen  was  370  mm.  in  length. 

Ranging  from  the  Florida  Keys  south  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Our  speci- 
mens are  from  Fox  Bay  and  tide  pools,  Colon,  and  from  the  Colon 
market. 

539.  Pseudoscarus  perrico  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Scarus  perrico  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881,  357 

(Mazatlan). 
Pseudoscarus  perrico  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1658;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 


746     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

1904,  146;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  410  (Panama). 
Callyodon  perrico  Snodgrass  &  Heller,  Proc.  Wash.  Ac.  Sci.,  VI,  1904 

(1905),   397;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,   Memoir.   Mus.   Comp.   Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  141. 

Head  2.9  to  3.2;  depth  2.44  to  2.85;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
23  to  25. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  moderately  elevated;  anterior 
profile  evenly  convex  in  young,  adult  with  a  fleshy  pad  above  and  back 
of  eyes,  this  variously  developed,  not  of  like  size  in  specimens  of  same 
length;  head  rather  deep,  compressed;  snout  blunt,  its  length  2.0  to 
2.45  in  head ;  eye  6.2  to  8.4 ;  mouth  small,  its  posterior  angle  about  mid- 
way between  tip  of  snout  and  eye;  jaws  subequal;  teeth  on  lower  jaw 
slightly  included ;  teeth  fully  coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates,  with 
a  very  evident  median  suture;  no  free  canines;  gill-membranes  very 
slightly  connected  across  isthmus;  scales  large,  those  on  chest  of  about 
the  same  size  as  those  on  sides;  5  in  advance  of  ventrals;  cheeks  and 
opercles  scaly,  the  former  with  2  rows,  each  row  with  about  6  scales; 
lateral  line  interrupted  under  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  reappearing  lower 
down  on  middle  of  caudal  peduncle,  the  pores  much  branched;  dorsal 
fin  with  9  flexible  spines,  each  enveloped  in  a  heavy  coat  of  skin,  the 
soft  rays  of  about  the  same  height  as  the  spines;  caudal  fin  slightly 
rounded  at  all  ages,  the  angles  never  produced;  anal  with  3  spines, 
enveloped  in  a  heavy  coating  of  skin,  the  first  one  very  small,  often 
overlooked,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal ;  ventrals  somewhat 
shorter  than  pectorals,  with  2  scales  between  their  bases ;  pectorals  mod- 
erate, 1.33  to  1.47  in  head. 

Color  olivaceous  brown ;  scales  in  life  with  central  portion  blue,  sur- 
rounded by  brown;  large  irregular  blue  spots  on  sides  of  head  about 
eyes;  dorsal  fin  brownish,  with  blue  margin,  and  an  imperfect  bluish 
streak  most  distinct  posteriorly;  caudal  brownish  in  spirits,  green  in 
life ;  anal  deep  blue  green ;  ventrals  pale  green ;  pectorals  brownish  green  ; 
teeth  pea-green. 

There  are  4  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  present  collection,  which 
range  in  length  from  240  to  465  mm. 

This  species  is  closely  related  to  P.  guacamaia  from  the  Atlantic 
coast,  differing,  however,  from  the  latter  in  having  but  2  rows  of  scales 
on  the  cheeks,  and  in  having  a  rounded  caudal  at  all  ages.  The  teeth 
appear  to  be  of  a  paler  green,  and  the  fin  spines  bear  a  much  heavier 
coat  of  skin.  In  all  the  specimens  of  P.  guacamaia  examined  there  is 
not  a  trace  of  a  fleshy  hump  on  the  head,  while  all  the  specimens  of 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       747 

P.  perrico,  at  hand,  have  it  more  or  less  developed,  sometimes  becom- 
ing very  large. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  south  to  the  Galapagos  Islands.  Our  speci- 
mens were  purchased  in  the  Panama  City  market. 

196.  Genus  Sparisoma  Swainson. 

Sparisoma  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  227   (type 

Sparus  abildgaardi  Bloch). 
Euscarus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  416  (type  Labrus  cretenses  Linnaeus). 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  rather  short  and  deep ;  snout  usu- 
ally blunt;  upper  lip  double  for  its  entire  length;  upper  jaw  included; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  coalesced,  forming  continuous  plates;  each  jaw  with 
an  evident  median  suture;  free  canines  present  or  wanting;  lower 
pharyngeals  much  broader  than  long,  the  surface  flat  or  concave ;  upper 
pharyngeals  separate,  each  with  3  rows  of  teeth ;  gill-membranes  united 
with  the  broad  isthmus ;  scales  large,  24  to  26  in  a  lateral  series ;  lateral 
line  interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  lower  down  on  caudal 
peduncle,  the  pores  always  more  or  less  branched;  dorsal  fin  with  9 
pungent  spines,  and  10  soft  rays;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  and  9  soft 
rays. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Upper  jaw  with  one  or  more  free  lateral  canines  on  each  side 
above  the  cutting  edge  of  the  dental  plates.     (These  normally 
present,  at  least  in  adult.) 

b.  General  color  of  body  dark  red  or  brown ;  no  pale  streaks  along 
sides;  scales  along  back  with  black  edges;  margin  of  opercles 
black.  abildgaardi,  p.  748. 

bb.  Color  paler,  reddish  brown  or  greenish ;  scales  along  back  with- 
out black  edges;  margin  of  opercles  not  black. 

c.  Pectorals  without  a  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  rays. 

d.  Snout  moderately  pointed,  its  upper  profile  straight ;  interorbital 
space  transversely  flat  or  slightly  concave;  lateral  canines  one 
on  each  side,  wanting  in  young;  general  color  reddish  brown; 
sides  usually  with  2  longitudinal  pale  streaks,  these  most  distinct 
in  young.  distinctum,  p.  749. 

dd.  Snout  very  blunt,  its  upper  profile  convex;  interorbital  space 
transversely  convex;  upper  jaw  usually  with  more  than  one  lat- 
eral canine  on  each  side ;  general  color  greenish ;  sides  occasion- 
ally with  a  single  indefinite  pale  streak.  radians,  p.  750. 


748     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

cc.  Pectorals  with  a  very  prominent  jet-black  spot  at  base  of  upper 
rays ;  general  color  of  body  bluish  green,  chrysopterum,  p.  753. 

aa.  Upper  jaw  normally  without  free  canines,  or  rarely  a  very  small 
one  developed  on  one  or  both  sides. 

e.  Pectorals  with  a  very  evident  jet-black  spot  at  base  of  upper 
rays. 

f.  Snout  very  bluntly  rounded,  the  interorbital  space  transversely 
strongly  convex.  rhomaleum  sp.  nov.,  p.  754. 

ff.  Snout  more  pointed;  interorbital  space  transversely  flat  or 
slightly  concave. 

g.  Body  deep,  rather  strongly  compressed,  its  depth  2.82  in  its 
length;  caudal  fin  in  adult  with  middle  rays  of  about  equal 
length,  the  outer  rays  notably  produced ;  general  color  in  alcohol 
grayish.  squalidum,  p.  755. 

gg.  Body  more  elongate,  its  depth  3.13  in  its  length;  caudal  fin  in 
adult  about  evenly  concave,  the  outer  rays  not  much  produced; 
general  color  in  alcohol  greenish.  elongatum  sp.  nov.,  p.  757. 

ee.     Pectorals  without  a  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  rays. 

h.  Snout  very  blunt;  interorbital  space  transversely  strongly  con- 
vex ;  general  color  olive-gray  or  brownish,  occasionally  with  one 
or  more  pale  streaks  along  sides;  body  often  more  or  less 
mottled ;  vertical  fins  with  spots  and  bars.  flavescens,  p.  758. 

hh.  Snout  more  pointed;  interorbital  space  flat;  color  nearly  uni- 
formly bluish  violet.  frondosum,  p.  759- 

540.  Sparisoma  abildgaardi  (Bloch). 

Sparus  abildgaardi  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  V,  1791,  22,  PI.  CCLIX 

(America;  from  a  specimen  sent  by  Prof.  Abildgaard). 
Scarus  coccineus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  289  (Cuba). 
Sparus  aureoruber  Lacepede,   Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,   IV,    1803,   56,    163 

(Martinique;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier). 

Sparisoma  abildgardii  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  227. 
Scarus  amplus  Ranzani,   Novi  Comment.  Ac.   Sci.   Inst.   Bonon.,  V, 

1842,  324,  PI.  XXV  (Brazil). 
Scarus  erythrinoides  Guichenot,  Mem.  Soc.  Sci.  Nat.  Cherbourg,  XI, 

1865,  10  (San  Domingo). 

Scarus  oxybrachius  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  342  (Cuba). 
Sparisoma  abildgaardi  Jordan,  Rept.  U.   S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,   1887 

(1891),  676;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,. 

1898,  1635 ;  Evermann  &  Marsh,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XX,  Pt.  I, 

1900  (1902),  239  (Porto  Rico). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       749 

Head  2.85  to  3.3;  depth  2:54  to  2.9;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
24  or  25. 

Body  elongate,  rather  strongly  compressed ;  the  back  elevated ;  pro- 
file from  snout  to  posterior  margin  of  eyes  nearly  straight;  head  deep, 
compressed ;  snout  moderately  pointed,  its  length  2.0  to  2.5  in  head ;  eye 
4.35  to  6.4;  interorbital  space  flat;  mouth  small;  upper  jaw  included; 
teeth  coalesced,  the  cutting  edge  more  or  less  uneven,  median  suture 
evident ;  a  small  canine  above  cutting  edge  of  upper  jaw,  near  angle  of 
mouth,  usually  present ;  gill-membranes  united  with  the  broad  isthmus ; 
scales  large,  3  in  advance  of  ventrals;  cheek  and  opercle  scaly,  the 
former  with  a  single  row  of  5  scales ;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly, 
beginning  again  on  next  row  of  scales  below,  the  pores  much  branched ; 
dorsal  fin  with  9  pungent  spines,  all  of  about  the  same  length  as  the 
soft  rays ;  caudal  fin  deeply  concave  in  large  specimens,  with  the  angles 
produced,  much  less  so  in  smaller  individuals,  probably  rounded  in 
young;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the 
dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  not  much  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the 
latter  1.19  to  1.38  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brown  above,  paler  below;  each  scale  along  back 
and  upper  portion  of  sides  with  a  dark  brown  margin;  lips  and  mar- 
gin of  opercle  dark  brown ;  dorsal  and  caudal  brownish ;  other  fins  pale ; 
no  black  spot  at  base  of  pectorals.  The  life  colors  of  a  large  specimen 
from  Porto  Rico  are  described  thus:  "Fins  and  lower  parts  below  a 
line  from  tip  of  under  jaw  to  base  of  caudal  under  the  end  of  lateral 
line,  red,  edges  of  scales  paler ;  body  above  grayish,  edges  of  scales  black, 
bases  of  those  below  lateral  line  rosy ;  brownish-red  wavy  stripes  radiat- 
ing from  eye  below ;  oblique  pale-blue  stripes  on  dorsal,  tips  of  row  of 
smaller  scales  at  base  of  anal  blue,  and  3  blotches  on  upper  and  3  on 
lower  ray  of  caudal ;  a  few  scales  at  base  of  caudal  with  pale  yellow ; 
iris  yellow,  pupil  bordered  narrowly  with  red;  membranous  edge  of 
opercle  black."  (Evermann  &  Marsh,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XX, 
Pt.  I,  1900  (1902),  p.  239.) 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  recorded  from  the  West 
Indies  and  Brazil,  but  not  from  Panama.  It  is  here  described  from  5 
specimens,  ranging  from  200  to  360  mm.  in  length,  from  the  West 
Indies. 

541.  Sparisoma  distinctum  (Poey). 

Scarus  distinctus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  423  (Havana). 
Sparisoma  distinctum  Jordan,  Rept.  U.   S.   Fish  Comm.,   XV,    1887 


750     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

(1891),  676;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1635. 

Head  3.2  to  3.5;  depth  2.7  to  3.0;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  24 
or  25. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  profile  from  tip  of 
snout  to  posterior  margin  of  eyes  straight,  from  thence  to  dorsal  slightly 
convex;  head  rather  short;  snout  moderately  pointed,  its  length  2.3  to 
3.0  in  head ;  eye  3.5  to  5.0 ;  interorbital  space  transversely  flat  or  slightly 
concave;  mouth  small;  upper  jaw  included;  teeth  coalesced,  the  cutting 
edges  more  or  less  uneven,  median  suture  evident;  upper  jaw  usually 
with  a  single  canine  above  the  cutting  edge  near  angle  of  mouth,  and 
sometimes  with  one  or  more  small  points  in  front  on  edges  of  median 
suture;  gill-membranes  united  with  the  isthmus;  scales  large,  3  in 
advance  of  ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the  latter  with  a  single 
row  of  5  scales ;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  on 
next  row  of  scales  below,  the  pores  with  several  branches ;  dorsal  with 
9  pungent  spines,  all  of  about  the  same  length  as  the  soft  rays ;  caudal 
fin  slightly  rounded  in  very  young,  becoming  slightly  concave  with  age, 
the  outer  rays  not  prominently  produced ;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the 
soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  moderate ;  pectorals 
rather  long,  1.22  to  1.3  in  head. 

Color  of  old  alcoholic  specimens  brownish  above,  pale  below;  sides 
with  2  pale  streaks,  the  upper  one  extending  from  upper  margin  of  eye 
to  upper  surface  of  caudal  peduncle,  the  lower  one  extending  from 
lower  margin  of  eye  to  middle  of  base  of  caudal,  these  most  distinct  in 
young,  the  upper  one  indistinct  or  wanting  in  adult;  margin  of  opercle 
and  scales  not  black ;  fins  unmarked ;  no  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  rays 
of  pectorals ;  teeth  pale. 

This  fish  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  specimens 
from  Cuba,  Nassau,  and  Biscayne  Bay,  Florida,  ranging  in  length  from 
85  to  235  mm.  Two  of  the  specimens  from  Cuba  are  of  Poey's  own 
identification.  The  smallest  specimen  at  hand  is  from  Biscayne  Bay, 
Florida,  and  is  wrongly  identified  in  the  National  Museum  collection  as 
Cryptotomus  beryllinus.  This  appears  to  be  the  first  record  of  this  species 
from  the  U.  S.  coast. 

Ranging  from  Florida  south  to  Brazil,  but  not  recorded  from 
Panama. 

542.  Sparisoma  radians  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes).     (Plate  LXXIII, 
figs,  i  &  2.) 


</>  5 

^  E 


/ 


JUf 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA, —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       751 

Scarus  radians  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV,  1839, 

206  (Brazil)  ;  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  211. 
Labrus  radians  Castelnau,  Anim.  Nouv.  Rares  Amer.  Sud,  1855,  29. 
Scarus  lacrimosus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  422  (Havana). 
Scarus  hoplomystax  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV,  1871, 

462  (St.  Martins). 
Sparisoma  cyanolene  Jordan  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  98 

(Key  West). 
Sparisoma  xystrodon  Jordan  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884, 

99  (Key 'West,  Florida) ;  Bean,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1888 

(1900),  198;  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 

678;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1630.  . 
Sparisoma  hoplomystax  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887 

(1891),  677,  PI.  X;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1632,  PI.  CCXLIV,  fig.  6n;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV, 

Pt.  4,  1925,  156  (Caledonia  Bay). 
Sparisoma  radians  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891), 

677;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1631. 

Head  3.05  to  3.56;  depth  2.6  to  2.9;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
24  to  26. 

Body  elongate,  rather  robust,  compressed;  the  back  moderately  ele- 
vated; profile  from  snout  to  origin  of  dorsal  evenly  convex;  ventral 
outline  anteriorly  rather  strongly  curved;  head  short  and  deep;  snout 
blunt,  its  length  2.58  to  3.1  in  head;  eye  3.5  to  4.6;  interorbital  space 
convex;  mouth  small,  failing  to  reach  vertical  from  anterior  margin  of 
eye;  upper  jaw  included;  teeth  in  each  jaw  coalesced,  forming  contin- 
uous plates,  the  median  suture  not  always  very  evident;  upper  jaw 
with  i  to  4  free  canines  on  each  side  above  its  cutting  ege,  each  indi- 
vidual, however,  not  always  with  the  same  number  on  both  sides;  gill- 
membranes  attached  to  the  broad  isthmus;  scales  large,  slightly  en- 
larged on  chest,  3  in  advance  of  ventrals ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the 
former  with  a  single  row  of  5  scales ;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly, 
beginning  again  on  next  row  of  scales  below,  the  pores  with  few  or 
several  branches;  dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  of  about  same  length 
as  soft  rays;  caudal  rounded;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  first  very 
small,  hidden  in  the  skin;  ventrals  moderate,  slightly  shorter  than  the 
pectorals,  the  latter  1.43  to  1.2  in  head. 

Color  of  female  in  spirits  grayish  or  brownish  above,  paler  below; 
chin  usually  crossed  by  a  distinct  whitish  band;  a  pale  streak  extend- 


752     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

ing  from  eye  to  base  of  caudal  sometimes  present;  no  bluish  green 
streak  from  eye  to  angle  of  mouth ;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  all  more  or 
less  spotted  or  barred  with  grayish  or  dusky ;  the  membrane  between  the 
first  2  spines  of  dorsal  black ;  ventrals  usually  plain,  occasionally  faintly 
spotted;  pectorals  plain  greenish,  their  bases  brown  or  dusky,  never 
bluish  black.  The  following  notes  were  based  on  some  fresh  specimens : 
General  color  greenish  olive;  chest  yellow,  mottled  with  darker;  sides 
with  a  light  band,  extending  from  above  pectoral  to  caudal  peduncle, 
where  it  fades  into  the  ground  color;  chin  with  a  pale  band;  dorsal 
yellowish  green  or  red;  caudal  greenish  yellow  to  red,  faintly  barred; 
anal  red  or  yellow,  more  or  less  barred  with  brown;  base  of  pectorals 
bluish  green.  The  male  differs  from  the  female  in  being,  as  a  rule, 
darker  in  color,  and  it  has  an  evident  narrow  bluish  green  streak  running 
from  eye  to  angle  of  mouth;  the  white  bar  on  chin  is  very  faint  or 
wanting.  The  fins  are  less  spotted  and  barred,  and  the  caudal  and 
anal  are  often  partly  black.  The  pectorals  always  have  a  darker  base, 
which  is  usually  very  deep  bluish  black.  The  following  notes  were 
based  on  a  fresh  male  specimen,  which  was  then  thought  to  be  a 
distinct  species :  General  color  greenish  olive ;  yellow  below,  this  color 
most  prominent  on  chest;  chin  with  a  black  blotch;  a  narrow  bluish 
green  streak  from  eye  to  angle  of  mouth;  dorsal  reddish  at  base,  with 
black  margin;  caudal  yellowish  green  at  base,  the  distal  fourth  black; 
anal  black;  base  of  pectorals  black;  teeth  pale. 

Of  this  species  there  are  218  specimens,  ranging  from  40  to  140 
mm.  in  length,  in  the  present  collection. 

The  study  of  our  large  series  has  made  it  possible  to  unite  under 
one  name  several  nominal  species  based  chiefly  on  color.  The  dissection 
of  50  specimens  shows  that  all  of  those  with  the  bluish  green  streak 
from  eye  to  angle  of  mouth,  and  with  the  base  of  pectorals  bluish  black 
are  males.  All  of  the  specimens  with  black  on  caudal  and  anal 
were  found  to  be  males,  although  some  without  black  on  these  fins 
were  also  found  to  be  males.  The  female  has  the  vertical  fins  more 
or  less  spotted  or  barred.  It  lacks  the  bluish  green  streak  from  eye 
to  angle  of  mouth,  and  the  base  of  the  pectorals  is  brown,  never  black. 
There  is  considerable  variation  in  color  even  among  individuals  of  the 
same  sex,  and  when  the  extremes  of  the  opposite  sexes  are  compared, 
a  prominent  difference  appears  to  exist.  This  difference  in  the  color 
of  the  male  and  female,  together  with  the  large  variation  among  indi- 
viduals of  the  same  sex,  has  led  to  the  description  of  several  nominal 
species,  of  which  S.  xystrodon  seems  to  represent  the  most  highly  col- 
ored male  and  S.  cyanolene  the  most  modest  female. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       753 

Known  from  Florida  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from  Fox 
Bay,  Colon,  and  Porto  Bello.  The  species  is  abundant  among  eel-grass, 
where  it  was  taken  in  company  with  6".  flavescens. 

543.  Sparisoma  chrysopterum  (Bloch  &  Schneider). 
Scarus  chrysopterus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  286,  PI. 
LVII  (American  Seas) ;  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862, 

211. 

Scarus  Moris  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  289  (Cuba). 
Scarus  lateralis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  219  (Cuba). 
Sparisoma  chrysopterum  Jordan  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884, 
94;  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891),  674;  Jordan 
&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1636;  Evermann 
&  Marsh,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XX,  1900  (1902),  239. 
Head  3.1  to  3.3;  depth  2.8  to  3.06;  D.  IX,  9  or  10;  A.  Ill,  9; 
scales  25. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  profile  from  tip  of 
snout  to  anterior  margin  of  eyes  nearly  straight,  from  eyes  to  dorsal 
slightly  convex ;  head  deep,  compressed ;  snout  moderately  pointed, 
2.05  to  2.35  in  head;  eye  5.0  to  5.2;  interorbital  space  flat;  mouth 
small;  upper  jaw  included;  teeth  coalesced,  the  cutting  edges  more  or 
less  uneven,  the  median  suture  evident ;  upper  jaw  with  one  or  several 
canines  on  sides  above  the  cutting  edge,  and  one  or  two  in  front  on 
edges  of  median  suture ;  gill-membranes  united  with  the  broad  isthmus ; 
scales  large,  3  in  advance  of  ventrals ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the 
former  with  a  single  row  of  5  scales ;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly, 
beginning  again  on  next  row  of  scales  below,  the  pores  considerably 
branched ;  dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  of  about  the  same  length  as  the 
soft  rays;  caudal  fin  in  adult  deeply  concave,  the  outer  rays  much 
produced;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of 
dorsal;  ventrals  not  much  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1.4  to 
1.44  in  head. 

Color  of  old  alcoholic  specimens  at  hand  all  faded,  except  a  large, 
distinct  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  rays  of  pectorals;  the  margin  of 
the  scales  appear  lighter  than  the  rest  of  the  scale.  The  life  colors  of 
a  specimen,  about  a  foot  long,  from  Porto  Rico  are  described  by  Ever- 
mann &  Marsh  (Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XX,  1900  ( 1902) ,  p.  239)  thus : 
"Rich  greenish-blue  or  bluish-green  above ;  edges  of  scales  greener,  their 
bases  darker ;  under  parts  rich  blue ;  head  greenish-blue,  somewhat 
mottled;  lower  jaw  and  breast  sky-blue;  dorsal  pale  rose;  anal  pale 
blue  at  base,  then  broadly  pale  brick-red,  then  a  very  narrow  pale-blue 


754     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

border;  caudal  reddish  at  base,  blue  on  outer  rays  extending  to  tips; 
abaft  the  red  a  pale  crescent,  then  a  broad  blood-red  one,  and  last  a 
narrow  bluish-green  border;  pectoral  pale  lemon,  a  black  splotch  at 
base  above ;  ventrals  pale-greenish." 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  3  speci- 
mens, 255  to  320  mm.  in  length,  from  the  West  Indies. 

Ranging  from  the  West  Indies  south  to  Brazil,  but  not  recorded 
from  Panama. 

544.  Sparisoma  rhomaleum  sp.  nov.    (Plate  LXXIV,  fig.  i) 

Type  No.  81777,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  225  mm.;  Colon  market, 
Panama. 

Head  3.33  to  3.7;  depth  2.8  to  2.95;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  25. 

Body  elongate,  robust,  moderately  compressed;  the  back  elevated; 
dorsal  profile  anteriorly  rather  strongly  convex;  head  short  and  deep; 
snout  very  blunt,  its  length  1.97  to  2.2  in  head;  eye  5.0  to  5.25; 
interorbital  space  transversely  strongly  convex;  mouth  small;  upper 
jaw  included ;  teeth  coalesced,  the  cutting  edge  more  or  less  uneven, 
the  median  suture  evident;  upper  jaw  with  one  very  small  point  in 
front  above  cutting  edge  next  to  median  suture,  usually  none  on  side 
(Our  largest  specimen  has  only  one  very  small  point  developed  near 
angle  of  mouth,  on  one  side  of  jaw  only)  ;  gill-membranes  united  with 
the  broad  isthmus ;  scales  large,  3  in  advance  of  ventrals ;  cheeks  and 
opercles  scaly,  the  former  with  a  single  row  of  5  scales;  lateral  line 
interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  on  next  row  of  scales  below, 
the  pores  much  branched,  occupying  nearly  the  entire  row  of  scales ; 
dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  all  of  about  the  same  length  as  the  soft 
rays ;  caudal  fin  in  adult  about  evenly  concave,  the  outer  rays  not  much 
produced;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  first  one  very  small,  the  soft 
portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventral  fins  moderate,  not  much 
shorter  than  the  broad  pectorals,  the  latter  1.25  to  1.28  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  green  to  brownish  above,  pale  green  below; 
sides  of  body  perfectly  plain,  without  spots  or  bars;  snout  mostly 
dusky;  opercles  with  an  indistinct  bluish  blotch  or  bar;  dorsal  and 
anal  bluish  black  or  dusky;  caudal  with  the  inner  rays  pale,  the  outer 
rays  deep  green  to  bluish ;  ventrals  pale ;  pectorals  dusky,  with  a  wide, 
pale  margin,  and  a  very  prominent  black  spot  at  the  base  of  the  upper 
rays ;  teeth  with  a  greenish  tinge. 

We  have  3  specimens  of  this  species,  respectively  225,  280  and  320 
mm.  in  length,  which  were  secured  in  the  Colon  market. 


*! 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       755 

This  fish  appears  to  become  darker  in  color  with  age.  Our  largest 
specimen  has  only  6  soft  rays  in  the  dorsal,  which  must,  however,  be 
regarded  as  an  abnormal  development,  since  it  agrees  in  every  other 
respect  with  the  other  specimens. 

We  are  unable  to  identify  our  specimens  with  any  known  species. 
They  agree  admirably  in  the  general  shape  and  form  of  the  body 
with  S.  flavescens,  but  differ  very  prominently  from  that  species  in 
color.  Comparing  adult  specimens  of  like  size,  it  is  also  evident  that 
the  caudal  fin  is  much  more  deeply  concave  in  the  present  species. 

545.  Sparisoma  squalidum  (Poey). 

Scarus  squalidus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,   1860,  218    (Cuba)  ;  Giinther, 

Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  212;  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XVI,  1883,  938. 
Sparisoma  flavescens  Jordan  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  92 

(in  part)  ;  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891),  672 

(in  part)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1639  (in  part). 

Head  3.35;  depth  2.82;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  25. 

Body  elongate,  rather  strongly  compressed ;  the  back  moderately 
elevated ;  profile  straight  or  slightly  concave  over  snout,  slightly  convex 
from  anterior  margin  of  eyes  to  origin  of  dorsal ;  head  short,  rather 
strongly  compressed;  snout  rather  long  and  pointed,  its  length  2.25 
in  head;  eye  4.6;  interorbital  space  transversely  slightly  concave,  the 
skull  broadened  just  in  front  of  eyes;  mouth  small,  failing  to  reach 
anterior  margin  of  eye ;  upper  jaw  included ;  teeth  fully  coalesced,  form- 
ing continuous  plates,  the  anterior  suture  in  each  jaw  quite  evident;  no 
free  lateral  canines;  gill-membranes  attached  to  the  broad  isthmus; 
scales  large,  not  reduced  on  chest,  3  in  advance  of  ventrals ;  cheeks  and 
opercles  scaly,  the  former  with  a  single  row  of  5  scales;  lateral  line 
interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  on  next  row  of  scales  below; 
dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  of  about  the  same  length  as  the  soft  rays ; 
caudal  concave,  the  middle  rays  of  about  equal  length,  the  outer  rays 
notably  produced ;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to 
that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  somewhat  shorter  than  the 
pectorals,  the  latter  1.28  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  uniform  grayish  olive  above,  pale  below,  probably 
mostly  reddish  in  life;  rows  of  scales  on  lower  part  of  sides  with 
pale  or  slightly  bluish  streaks ;  dorsal  grayish,  with  darker  spots  or 
indistinct  bars;  middle  rays  of  caudal  pale,  the  outer  rays  dusky,  with 


756  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

indistinct  darker  spots ;  anal  and  ventrals  pale ;  pectorals  greenish,  with 
a  very  evident  jet-black  spot  at  the  base  of  the  upper  rays:  teeth 
pale. 

Of  this  species  there  is  a  single  specimen,  220  mm.  long,  in  the 
present  collection.  In  the  National  Museum  collection  there  are  4 
specimens  from  Nassau,  200  to  355  mm.  in  length,  and  2  from  Curacao, 
200  and  205  mm.  long,  all  wrongly  identified  as  S.  flavescens,  which, 
however,  agree  perfectly  with  our  specimen.  The  largest  of  these  have 
the  interorbital  space  more  strongly  concave,  and  the  outer  rays  of 
caudal  more  prominently  produced.  A  specimen  from  Cuba,  340  mm. 
long,  identified  as  5".  squalidus  by  Poey,  agrees  admirably  with  the 
original  description  of  that  species,  and  is  quite  certainly  identical 
with  our  specimen.  6".  squalidum  is,  therefore,  not  identical  with  S. 
flavescens  as  considered  by  recent  authors.  It  may  be  distinguished 
from  the  latter  by  the  more  strongly  compressed  head  and  body,  more 
sharply  pointed  snout,  and  by  the  transversely  flat  or  slightly  concave 
interorbital.  Comparing  specimens  of  like  size,  a  very  marked  difference 
becomes  evident  in  the  shape  of  the  caudal  fin.  In  S.  flavescens  the 
outer  rays  of  the  caudal  are  never  as  prominently  produced  as  in  the 
present  species.  The  color  of  preserved  specimens  of.  S.  squalidum  is 
much  paler,  the  fins  have  fewer  spots  and  bars,  and  the  very  prominent 
jet-black  spot  at  the  base  of  the  upper  rays  of  the  pectorals  at  once 
distinguish  the  two  species. 

From  6*.  brachiale,  a  Cuban  species,  which  5\  squalidum  strongly 
resembles,  it  is  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  free  lateral  canines.  6". 
brachiale  has  by  recent  authors  (Jordan  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
1884,  p.  93;  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887  (1891),  p.  673; 
Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  p.  1641 ; 
Evermann  &  Marsh,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XX,  1900  (1902),  p.  242) 
been  erroneously  described  as  having  no  free  lateral  canines.  Poey  in 
the  original  description  of  the  type,  a  specimen  240  mm.  long,  however, 
states  that  it  has  s'uch  teeth,  viz. :  "Les  dents  sont  blanches,  ses  granu- 
lations bien  marquees  sur  le  machoire  inferieure;  la  superieure  a  son 
bord  crenele,  et  porte  en  arriere  deux  ou  trois  pointes  laterales  tres 
petites."  (Memorias,  II,  1861,  p.  345).  In  the  National  Museum  col- 
lection is  a  specimen  300  mm.  long,  identified  by  Poey,  himself,  as  this 
species,  which  has  the  canines  as  above  described. 

Ranging  from  the  Bahamas  south  to  Venezuela.  Our  specimen  was 
obtained  in  the  Colon  market. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       757 

546.  Sparisoma  elongatum  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXIV,  fig.  2.) 

Type  No.  81504;  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  230  mm.;  Panama  City, 
Panama. 

Head  3.36;  depth  3.13;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  25. 

Body  elongate,  rather  slender,  moderately  compressed ;  the  back 
elevated ;  profile  straight  over  snout,  gently  convex  from  eyes  to  dorsal ; 
head  rather  short ;  snout  moderately  produced,  its  length  2.33  in  head ; 
eye  4.4 ;  interorbital  space  flat ;  mouth  small,  not  reaching  vertical  from 
anterior  margin  of  eye;  upper  jaw  included;  teeth  fully  coalesced, 
forming  continuous  plates,  the  cutting  edges  more  or  less  uneven,  the 
median  suture  evident ;  upper  jaw  without  free  canines  at  side,  and  with 
only  one  minute  point  in  front  on  edge  of  the  median  suture;  gill- 
membranes  connected  with  the  isthmus ;  scales  large,  3  in  advance  of 
ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the  former  with  a  single  row  of 
5  scales;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  on  the 
next  row  of  scales  below,  the  pores  with  several  branches  occupying 
most  of  one  row  of  scales;  dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  all  of  about 
the  same  length  as  the  soft  rays;  caudal  fin  about  evenly  concave,  the 
outer  rays  not  much  produced;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  first  one  very 
small,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventrals  nearly  as 
long  as  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1.25  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  green  above,  pale  green  below;  no  streaks  of 
any  kind  on  sides  of  body;  head  with  a  pale  green  streak,  extending 
from  lower  margin  of  eye  to  angle  of  mouth,  where  it  curves  backward 
on  lower  margin  of  cheek;  snout  plain  olivaceous;  lips  dusky;  dorsal 
fin  grayish  green,  without  spots  or  bars;  caudal  with  middle  rays  of 
white,  the  outer  rays  grayish  dusky,  fin  margined  with  dusky ;  anal  pale 
at  base,  distal  portion  of  fin  more  or  less  dusky ;  ventrals  pale,  unmarked ; 
pectorals  pale  green,  with  a  livid  green  area  above  axil  and  a  very 
prominent  black  spot  at  base  of  upper  rays. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  species  is  present  in  the  collection.  It  is 
230  mm.  in  length,  and  was  purchased  in  the  Panama  City  market.  It 
is  the  first  species  of  this  genus  recorded  from  the  Pacific  coast.  This 
fact  leads  one  to  wonder  if  it  could  have  been  brought  across  from  the 
Atlantic  coast.  But  inasmuch  as  the  supply  of  fish  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  is  much  smaller  than  the  demand,  and  that  Pacific  coast  fish 
are  frequently  brought  across  to  supply  the  Atlantic  coast  markets, 
this  does  not  seem  probable.  During  the  two  seasons  spent  on  the 
Isthmus  by  the  present  writers,  no  Atlantic  coast  fish  were  seen,  or,  at 
any  rate,  recognized  as  such  in  the  Panama  City  market.  The  specimen 
at  hand  was  taken  along  with  Trachinotus  rhodopus,  Caranx  cabdlus, 


758     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Paralichthys  woolmani,  Ancylopsetta  dendritica,  Azevia  panamensis, 
and  others,  all  distinctly  Pacific  coast  fish.  We,  therefore,  regard  this 
record  as  genuine. 

Our  specimen  is  rather  closely  related  to  the  Brazilian  fish,  S. 
maschalespilos  Bleeker,  from  which,  however,  it  differs  in  the  more 
elongate  and  less  strongly  compressed  body,  in  the  shape  of  the  caudal, 
and  in  color. 

547.  Sparisoma  flavescens  (Bloch  &  Schneider). 

Scarus  flavescens  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  290  (Cuba). 

Callyodon  flavescens  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIV, 

1839,  289. 
Sparisoma  flavescens  Jordan  &  Swain,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  92 

(in  part);  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,   1887   (J&Ji), 

672  (in  part)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1639. 

Head  3.25  to  3.66;  depth  2.64  to  3.2;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 
24  to  26. 

Body  elongate,  robust,  moderately  compressed;  the  back  elevated; 
profile  over  snout  nearly  straight,  from  eyes  to  origin  of  dorsal  gently 
convex;  ventral  outline  anteriorly  strongly  convex;  head  short  and 
deep;  snout  very  blunt,  its  length  2.4  to  3.34  in  head;  eye  3.55  to  5.2; 
interorbital  space  transversely  strongly  convex;  mouth  small,  not 
reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye;  upper  jaw  included;  teeth  fully 
coalesced,  each  jaw  with  an  evident  median  suture;  no  lateral  canines; 
gill-membranes  joined  to  the  broad  isthmus;  scales  large,  slightly 
enlarged  on  breast,  3  in  advance  of  ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles 
scaly,  the  former  with  a  single  row  of  5  large  scales;  lateral  line 
slightly  interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning  again  on  next  row  of  scales 
below,  most  of  the  pores  with  several  branches ;  dorsal  with  9  pungent 
spines,  of  about  the  same  length  as  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  rounded  in 
young,  becoming  slightly  truncate  in  specimens  about  185  mm.  long, 
notably  concave  with  the  angles  somewhat  produced  in  adults ;  anal  with 
3  very  weak  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ven- 
trals not  much  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the  latter  1 .23  to  1 .73  in  head. 

Color  olive-gray  to  brownish  above,  pale  to  orange  below ;  sometimes 
with  one  or  more  indistinct  pale  streaks  along  sides ;  often  more  or  less 
clouded  with  darker  blotches  or  bars;  lower  jaw  brownish  or  dusky, 
crossed  by  a  pale  band ;  dorsal  and  caudal  pale  olivaceous,  each  barred 
and  spotted  with  brown;  anal  red,  with  faint  spots  or  bars  of  brown; 
ventrals  nearly  uniformly  red,  sometimes  with  faint  brownish  bars ; 
pectorals  light  orange-red ;  teeth  pale. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       759 

Of  this  species  156  specimens,  ranging  from  35  to  250  mm.  in  length, 
were  preserved.  It  was  found  to  be  the  most  abundant  fish  along  shores 
lined  with  eel-grass,  nearly  every  seine  haul  yielding  considerable 
numbers. 

Known  from  Key  West  south  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Toro  Point;  Fox  Bay,  Colon;  and  Porto  Bello. 


548.  Sparisoma  frondosum  (Cuvier). 

Scarus  jrondosus  (Cuvier  MS.)  Agassiz,  in  Spix,  Pise.  Brasil.,  1831, 
98,  PI.  LIV  (Bahia) ;  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus,  1886,  542  (note 
on  the  type). 

Scarus aracanga  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  209  (Jamaica). 

Sparisoma  aracanga  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XV,  1887 
(1891),  674. 

Sparisoma  frondosum  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.   Fish  Comm.,  XV,   1887 
(1891),  673;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  1642;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser., 
1913,61. 
Head  3.7;  depth  2.9;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  25. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  profile  anteriorly 
gently  convex;  ventral  outline  anteriorly  strongly  convex;  head  rather 
short;  snout  moderate,  scarcely  as  blunt  as  in  5*.  flavescens,  its  length 
2.37  in  head;  eye  4.37;  interorbital  space  transversely  flat;  mouth 
small,  failing  to  reach  anterior  margin  of  eye;  upper  jaw  included; 
teeth  fully  coalesced,  each  jaw  with  an  evident  median  suture;  no  lateral 
canines;  gill-membranes  united  with  the  broad  isthmus;  scales  large, 
3  in  advance  of  ventrals;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly,  the  former  with  a 
single  row  of  5  scales;  lateral  line  interrupted  posteriorly,  beginning 
again  on  next  row  of  scales  below ;  dorsal  with  9  pungent  spines,  all  of 
about  the  same  length  as  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  evenly  and  gently  concave 
in  specimens  at  hand ;  anal  with  3  weak  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar 
to  that  of  dorsal ;  ventrals  not  much  shorter  than  the  pectorals,  the  latter 
1.35  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  uniform  brownish  above,  paler  below ;  rows  of 
scales  on  lower  part  of  sides  with  pale  streaks;  vertical  fins  rather 
distinctly  spotted  and  barred;  ventrals  and  pectorals  pale;  no  black 
spot  at  base  of  pectorals.  The  life  colors  have  been  described  as  nearly 
uniform  bluish  violet. 


760     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  a  single 
specimen,  170  mm.  long,  from  Bahia,  Brazil. 

This  fish  differs  from  5".  flavescens  in  the  slightly  more  pointed  snout, 
in  the  flat  interorbital  space  and  in  color.  Comparing  the  specimen  at 
hand  with  a  specimen  of  S.  flavescens  of  the  same  size,  an  evident 
difference  in  the  shape  of  the  caudal  is  noticed.  The  caudal  in  S. 
flavescens  of  this  size  (170  mm.)  is  still  slightly  rounded,  while  in  the 
present  species  it  is  evenly  and  gently  concave. 

Known  from  Jamaica  to  Brazil,  but  not  recorded  from  Panama. 

Family  LXIII.    Ephippidae. 

THE  SPADE-FISHES. 

Body  very  deep,  much  compressed;  dorsal  outline  strongly  arched, 
more  so  than  the  ventral ;  head  short  and  blunt ;  mouth  small,  terminal, 
slightly  protractile  or  not;  maxillary  short,  no  supplemental  bone; 
nostrils  double;  gill-membranes  broadly  united  with  the  isthmus;  the 
rakers  very  short;  branchiostegals  6  or  7;  pseudobranchiae  present; 
lateral  line  present,  strongly  arched;  scales  small,  ctenoid;  dorsal  fins 
slightly  disconnected  or  not,  the  anterior  with  8  to  10  spines;  the  soft 
dorsal  long,  densely  scaled  at  base,  anteriorly  elevated,  sometimes 
much  produced;  caudal  fin  broad,  with  posterior  margin  straight  or 
concave ;  anal  fin  with  3  or  4  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of 
the  dorsal;  ventrals  thoracic,  pectorals  short.  This  is  a  rather  small 
family,  having  a  single  representative  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama 
and  two  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Dorsal  spines  of  unequal  length,  the  third  produced;  mouth 
slightly  protractile,  a  distinct  transverse  fold  above  upper  lip; 
ventral  fins  rather  large.  Ch&todipterus,  p.  760. 

aa.  Dorsal  spines  very  short  and  of  about  equal  length;  mouth  not 
protractile,  no  transverse  fold  above  upper  lip ;  ventral  fins  small. 

Parapsettus,  p.  763. 

197.  Genus  Chaetodipterus  Lacepede. 

Chatodipterus   Lacepede,    Hist.    Nat.    Poiss.,    IV,    1803,    503    (type 

Chatodipterus  plumierii  Lacepede). 

Body  very  deep,  much  compressed ;  the  anterior  profile  very  steep ; 
head  short  and  blunt;  mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth  small,  more  or  less 


g£ 

O     M 
in     c 

s^ 

2  o 

a  '". 

~  s 

CE     g 
UJ      C 

3! 

(/)     U 

2  S 


o   - 


c&sin 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       761 

flexible,  in  narrow  bands;  preopercle  finely  serrate  or  nearly  smooth; 
branchiostegals  6;  scales  small,  ctenoid,  present  nearly  everywhere  on 
head,  from  50  to  100  in  a  lateral  series;  dorsal  fins  scarcely  separate, 
the  first  with  about  9  spines,  the  third  elongate ;  anal  with  three  spines, 
the  second  the  longest;  soft  portion  of  dorsal  and  anal  anteriorly 
elevated  in  adult ;  ventrals  long,  I,  5,  with  a  large  accessory  scale.  Two 
species  are  known,  one  each  on  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts  of  tropical 
and  subtropical  America. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  of  moderate  size,  50  to  60  in  a  lateral  series,  regularly 
arranged ;  dorsal  spines  and  the  anterior  part  of  soft  dorsal  and 
anal  very  strongly  elevated.  faber,  p.  761. 

aa.  Scales  very  small,  from  75  to  100  in  a  lateral  series,  irregularly 
arranged;  dorsal  spines  and  the  anterior  part  of  soft  dorsal 
and  anal  only  moderately  elevated.  zonaius,  p.  762. 

549.  Chaetodipterus  faber    (Broussonet).    (Plate  LXXV.) 

Chatodon  faber  Broussonet,  Ichth.  Sist.  Pise.,  1782,  (19),  PI.  (VI). 
Chatodon  plumieri  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  III,  1787,  104,  PI. 

CCXI  (Martinique). 

Zeus  quadratus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  1789,  1225  (Jamaica). 
Chatodipterus  plumierii  Lacepede,  Hist.   Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,   1803,  503 

(Jamaica;  Carolina). 
Selene   quadrangularis   Lacepede,    Hist.    Nat.    Poiss.,    IV,    1803,    564 

(Jamaica). 

Ephippus  gigas  Cuvier,  Regne  Anim.,  Ed.  II,  II,  1829,  191  (America). 
Ephippus  faber  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  61. 
Ch&todipterus  faber  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882    (1883),  613;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.   S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1668,  PI.  CCXLVII,  fig.  619;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat. 

Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  135  (Colon). 

Head  2.7  to  3.5;  depth  1.15  to  1.4;  D.  VIII-I,  21  to  23;  A.  Ill, 
17  to  19;  scales  53  to  60. 

Body  short  and  very  deep,  much  compressed ;  anterior  profile  steep, 
gently  and  evenly  convex  in  young,  somewhat  swollen  between  the  eyes, 
making  the  margin  of  snout  concave  in  adult ;  head  short  and  very  deep ; 
snout  short,  somewhat  projecting,  its  length  2.2  to  2.6  in  head ;  eye  3  to 
4.2;  mouth  small,  terminal,  only  very  slightly  protractile,  a  transverse 
fold  above  upper  lip;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  anterior 


762     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

margin  of  eye,  3.1  to  3.35  in  head;  teeth  very  small,  flexible,  in  narrow 
bands ;  lateral  line  continuous,  arched ;  scales  moderate,  ctenoid,  in  regu- 
lar series  on  sides ;  the  fins  all  densely  scaled  in  adult,  only  the  soft  dorsal 
and  anal  with  many  scales  in  young;  dorsal  fins  scarcely  separate,  the 
spines  of  unequal  length,  the  third  the  longest,  notably  longer  than 
head  in  some  of  our  specimens,  in  others  notably  shorter,  often  with  a 
membrane  posteriorly  which  exceeds  the  length  of  the  spine;  the  soft 
dorsal  anteriorly  much  elevated  in  the  adult,  the  longest  rays  often 
reaching  beyond  the  tips  of  the  caudal;  caudal  fin  nearly  straight  in 
young,  gently  concave  in  adult;  anal  fin  with  three  spines,  the  second 
the  largest,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventral  fins 
moderate,  longer  than  the  pectorals,  the  outer  ray  filamentous  in  the 
young;  pectoral  fins  short,  1.35  to  1.75  in  head. 

Color  grayish,  with  brassy  reflections;  chest  and  abdomen  white; 
sides  with  6  bars ;  the  first  from  above  orbits  through  eye  to  throat ;  the 
second  just  behind  margin  of  opercle;  the  third  a  narrow  half-bar 
extending  from  base  of  fourth  and  fifth  dorsal  spines  to  or  slightly 
below  middle  of  side;  the  fourth  bar  broad,  extending  from  origin  of 
second  dorsal  to  origin  of  anal ;  the  fifth  bar  under  middle  of  soft  dorsal ; 
the  sixth  at  base  of  caudal ;  fins  grayish  green ;  the  ventrals  and  the 
membranes  of  spinous  dorsal  often  very  dark.  Very  young  (35  mm.) 
dead  leaf  color,  with  paler  spots  and  lines;  the  dark  bars  of  the  adult 
only  faintly  visible. 

This  species  is  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama  and  is 
extensively  used  as  food.  We  preserved  16  specimens,  ranging  from 
35  to  385  mm.  in  length. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil.  Our 
specimens  are  from  Toro  Point,  Mindi,  Christobal,  and  Colon. 

550.  Chaetodipterus  zonatus   (Girard).     (Plate  LXXVI.) 

Ephippus  zanatus  Girard,  (House  of  Repr.  Ex.  Doc.  No.  91)  Rept. 
Expl.  &  Surv.  Miss.  R.  to  Pac.  O.,  X,  Pt.  IV,  1858,  no  (San  Diego, 
California) . 

Choetodipterus  zonatus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  385  ;  Jordan 
&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1668;  Gilbert  & 
Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  147  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Fowler, 
Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  2.8  to  3.55;  depth  1.25  to  1.57;  D.  VIII-I,  21  to  23;  A.  Ill, 
1 8  to  20 ;  scales  about  75  to  90. 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 
.ra 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       763 

Body  moderately  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  steep, 
gently  and  evenly  convex  in  young,  swollen  between  the  eyes  in  very 
large  examples,  making  the  anterior  margin  of  snout  nearly  vertical, 
but  not  concave;  head  short  and  deep;  snout  little  projecting,  its  length 
2.5  to  3  in  head ;  eye  3.1  to  3.75 ;  mouth  small,  terminal,  only  very  slightly 
protractile,  a  transverse  fold  above  upper  lip;  maxillary  reaching 
opposite  anterior  margin  of  eye,  3.1  to  3.45  in  head;  teeth  very  small, 
flexible,  in  narrow  bands;  lateral  line  continuous,  arched;  scales  very 
small,  in  irregular  series,  difficult  to  enumerate ;  fins  all  densely  scaled 
in  adult,  only  the  vertical  fins  with  many  scales  in  the  young;  dorsal 
fins  scarcely  separate,  the  spines  of  unequal  length,  the  third  the  longest, 
varying  greatly  among  individuals,  sometimes  not  much  longer  than 
eye,  occasionally  as  long  as  head  without  opercle;  the  soft  dorsal 
anteriorly  notably  elevated,  the  longest  rays  reaching  somewhat  past 
base  of  caudal  in  large  examples ;  caudal  fin  gently  concave  in  adult, 
round  in  very  young;  anal  fin  with  3  short  spines,  the  soft  portion 
similar  to  that  of  dorsal,  ventral  fins  notably  longer  than  the  pectorals, 
the  outer  ray  filamentous  in  young;  pectoral  fins  short,  1.3  to  1.7  in 
head. 

Color  silvery  gray,  with  black  bars  arranged  as  in  C.  faber.  Very 
young  (30  mm.)  brownish,  with  slightly  darker  marking;  the  dark 
bands  of  the  adult  only  faintly  visible. 

This  species  is  common  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  It  is  used 
quite  extensively  as  food.  We  preserved  16  specimens,  ranging  in 
length  from  30  to  275  mm. 

It  differs  from  C.  faber,  its  Atlantic  congener,  very  strikingly  in 
the  much  smaller  and  more  irregularly  arranged  scales.  The  shorter 
dorsal  spines  of  the  present  species,  an  alleged  difference,  while  generally 
true  is  not  always  a  reliable  character,  due  to  much  variation  among 
individuals.  When  specimens  of  like  size  are  compared,  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  Pacific  coast  representative  has  a  more  elongate  body, 
less  strongly  projecting  snout,  and  the  produced  portions  of  the  dorsal 
and  anal  are  shorter. 

Known  from  San  Diego,  California,  southward  to  Guayaquil, 
Ecuador.  Our  specimens  were  taken  at  Taboga  Island,  Balboa,  and 
in  the  Panama  City  market. 

198.  Genus  Parapsettus  Steindachner. 

Parapsettus  Steindachner,  (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,  LXXII)  Ichth. 
Beitr.,  Ill,  1875,  50  (type  Parapsettus  panamensis  Steindachner). 


764    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

This  genus  differs  from  Chatodipterus  principally  in  the  much 
shorter  dorsal  spines  which  are  shorter  than  pupil  and  all  of  about  equal 
length.  There  is  no  transverse  fold  above  the  upper  lip,  the  mouth  is 
not  protractile,  and  the  ventral  fins  are  much  smaller.  A  single  species 
of  this  genus  is  known. 

551.  Parapsettus  panamensis  Steindachner. 

Parapsettus   panamensis   Steindachner,    (Sitzb.   k.   Ak.    Wiss.    Wien, 

LXXII)   Ichth.  Beitr.,  Ill,  1875,  51,  PI.  VII   (Panama);  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1669;  Gilbert 

&  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  148   (Panama  Bay)  ; 

Starks,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1906,  798  (Guayaquil,  Ecuador). 

Head  3.35  to  3.55;  depth  1.25  to  1.35;  D.  IX  (rarely  VIII), 
25  or  26;  A.  Ill,  22  to  24;  scales  100  to  no. 

Body  short  and  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  vertical 
on  margin  of  snout,  swollen  between  the  eyes,  straight  or  slightly 
concave  above  the  eyes ;  head  short  and  deep ;  snout  very  blunt,  its 
length  4.35  to  4.95  in  head;  eye  3.5  to  4.6;  mouth  small;  the  lower  jaw 
included;  premaxillaries  not  protractile,  without  a  transverse  fold 
above  upper  lip;  maxillary  reaching  opposite  middle  of  eye,  3.15  to 
3.35  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  very  small,  flexible,  in  narrow  bands ; 
lateral  line  continuous,  arched;  scales  very  small,  the  series  irregular 
and  difficult  to  enumerate;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled  at  least  at  base; 
dorsal  fin  long,  continuous,  the  spines  very  short  and  of  about  equal 
length,  preceded  by  a  small,  antrorse,  scarcely  hidden  spine,  the  soft 
portion  anteriorly  somewhat  elevated  but  not  filamentous;  caudal  fin 
slightly  double  concave,  angulate  at  outer  rays;  anal  fin  with  3  very 
short  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins 
very  small,  notably  shorter  than  pectorals,  the  outer  ray  filamentous; 
pectoral  fins  moderate,  I  to  1.15  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  silvery  gray ;  ventral  fins  dusky. 

This  species,  although  reported  not  rare  in  the  Panama  market  by 
Gilbert  &  Starks,  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  based 
on  5  specimens  from  the  National  Museum  collection,  ranging  from 
150  to  190  mm.  in  length,  taken  at  Panama  and  Guayaquil,  Ecuador. 

Known  from  Panama  south  to  Guayaquil,  Ecuador. 

Family  LXIV.    Chaetodontidae. 

THE  BUTTERFLY-FISHES. 

Body  short  and  deep,  usually  strongly  compressed;  head  short; 
mouth  small,  terminal,  protractile ;  teeth  numerous,  slender,  bristle-like, 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       765 

in  narrow  bands,  none  on  palatines  or  vomer;  gill-membranes  attached 
to  the  isthmus ;  gill-rakers  short ;  pseudobranchiae  large ;  branchiostegals 
6  or  7;  scales  rather  small,  ctenoid;  lateral  line  concurrent  with  the 
back,  not  extending  on  caudal  fin;  dorsal  fin  single,  continuous,  the 
soft  part  usually  elevated  anteriorly,  often  filamentous,  densely  scaled; 
anal  fin  with  3  or  4  spines,  the  soft  portion  usually  similar  to  that  of 
the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  thoracic,  with  I,  5  rays.  This  family  consists  of 
brilliantly  colored  fishes  of  the  tropical  seas,  the  young  often  being  very 
different  from  the  adult.  Three  genera  are  represented  in  the  Panama 
fauna.* 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Preopercle  without  an  enlarged  spine;  dorsal  spines  not  gradu- 
ated, some  of  the  anterior  ones  longer  than  the  last  ones. 

Chcetodon,  p.  765. 

aa.  Preopercle  with  an  enlarged  spine  at  its  angle;  dorsal  spines 
graduated. 

b.  Body  very  deep,  much  compressed ;  interopercle  unarmed ;  scales 
small,  unequal,  not  in  regular  series;  dorsal  fin  with  8  to  n 
spines.  Pomacanthus,  p.  772. 

bb.  Body  oblong,  rather  robust;  interopercle  armed  with  from  I  to 
4  spines;  scales  rather  large,  in  regular  series;  dorsal  fin  with 
12  to  15  spines.  Holacanthus,  p.  777. 

199.  Genus  ChaBtodon  Linnaeus. 

Chcetodon  Linnaeus,  Syst.   Nat.,  Ed.  X,   1758,  272    (type  Chcetodon 

capistratus  Linnaeus). 
Chcetodon    Cuvier,    Regne    Animal,    Ed.    I,    II,    1817,    333     (types 

Chcetodon  striatus  &  capistratus,  first  restricted  to  this  group). 
Rdbdophorus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  211  (type 

Chcetodon  ephippium  Bloch) . 
Citharcedus  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXVI,  1860,  136  (type  Chcetodon 

ornatissimus  Solander). 
Linophora  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXVI,  1860,  137  (type  Chcetodon 

auriga  Forskal). 
Sarothrodus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  99  (type  Chcetodon 

capistratus  Linnaeus ;  offered  as  a  substitute  for  Chcetodon,  the  latter 

name  being  transferred  to  Pomacanthus'}. 

*A  fourth  genus  (one  species,  Angelichthys  ciliaris')  was  recorded,  since  these 
pages  were  prepared,  from  Colon,  by  Fowler  (Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917, 
P-  135). 


766     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Tholichthys  Giinther,  Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.,  Ser.  4, 1,  1868,  457  (type 

Tholichthys  osseus  Giinther). 
Tetragonopterus  Bleeker,  Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,  2  ser.,  II,  1868,  300 

(type  Chatodon  capistratus  Linnaeus). 

Body  short,  deep,  much  compressed;  head  short;  snout  pointed; 
mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth  in  jaws  slender,  flexible,  numerous,  in 
bands ;  preopercle  without  an  enlarged  spine ;  lateral  line  much  arched ; 
scales  firm,  ctenoid,  present  almost  everywhere  except  on  head;  dorsal 
fin  long,  continuous,  with  about  12  or  13  spines,  not  graduated;  caudal 
fin  straight  or  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  portion  of  dorsal, 
preceded  by  3  strong  spines ;  ventral  spine  strong.  This  is  a  large  genus 
of  beautiful  fishes,  most  of  them  being  rather  small.  Five  species  are 
represented  in  the  Panama  collection. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  above  axis  of  body  running  obliquely  upward  and  back- 
ward, those  below  the  axis  running  similarly  downward  and 
backward ;  rows  of  scales  marked  by  distinct  dark  streaks. 

b.  Dorsal  with  13  spines;  a  single  band  present,  passing  through 
eye;  a  large  jet-black  ocellus  present  on  side  below  soft  dorsal. 
(Very  young  with  a  dusky  bar  on  sides  from  anterior  dorsal 
spines  to  abdomen  and  a  small  ocellus  on  soft  dorsal.) 

capistratus,  p.  767. 
bb.  Dorsal  with  12  spines ;  sides  with  3  or  4  broad  black  bands ;  no 

ocellus  on  sides  below  dorsal;  young  with  a  black  ocellus  on 

anterior  rays  of  soft  dorsal.  striatus,  p.  768. 

aa.  Scales  on  upper  part  of  sides  running  obliquely  upward  and 

backward,  those  on  the  lower  parts  becoming  nearly  horizontal ; 

rows  of  scales  without  definite  dark  streaks. 

c.  Dorsal  with  XII,  24  or  25  rays;  scales  45  to  56;  lateral  line 
present  on  caudal  peduncle;  a  wedge-shaped  bar  from  origin 
of  dorsal  to  eyes,  but  not  extending  through  the  eyes. 

nigrirostris,  p.  769. 

cc.  Dorsal  with  XII  or  XIII,  18  to  21  rays ;  lateral  line  extending 
under  base  of  soft  dorsal,  not  present  on  caudal  peduncle; 
occular  band  present. 

d.  Dorsal  with  13  spines;  sides  of  head  and  body  with  3  or  4 
black  bands ;  caudal  fin  with  black  bars  in  adult. 

humeralis,  p.  770. 
dd.     Dorsal  with  12  spines;  only  the  occular  band  present  in  the 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       767 

adult;  a  more  or  less  distinct  dusky  band  on  base  of  caudal  in 
the  young.  ocellatus,  p.  771. 

552.  Chaetodon  capistratus  Linnaeus-. 

Chest odon  capistratus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  275  ("India"; 
based  on  specimen  in  Mus.  Adolph  Frederici)  ;  Jordan  &  Gilbert, 
Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI,  1882  (1883),  940;  Jordan  &  Evermann, 
Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1677,  PI.  CCL,  fig.  622;  Fow- 
ler, Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  135  (Colon). 
Sarothrodus  capistratus  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  62. 
Chcetodon  bricei  Smith,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XVII,  1897  (1898), 
102,  with  figure  (Woods  Hole,  Mass.). 

Head  2.5  to  3.4;  depth  1.35  to  1.7;  D.  XIII,  19  or  20;  A.  Ill,  16 
to  18;  scales  36  to  44. 

Body  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  slightly  concave 
in  adult,  nearly  straight  in  young;  head  short,  deep;  snout  moderately 
pointed,  2.6  to  3.3  in  head;  eye  2.55  to  2.9;  mouth  small,  terminal; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  slender,  flexible,  very  numerous,  in  bands;  gill- 
membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  very  short;  lateral  line 
arched,  ending  at  base  of  last  rays  of  dorsal ;  scales  moderate,  reduced 
on  head,  chest  and  caudal  peduncle,  the  rows  on  sides  above  axis  of 
body  running  obliquely  upward  and  backward,  those  below  axis 
extending  downward  and  backward ;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled ;  dorsal 
fin  long,  its  origin  over  margin  of  preopercle,  the  spines  rather  strong, 
the  longest  slightly  longer  than  eye  and  snout;  caudal  fin  with  gently 
convex  margin  posteriorly ;  anal  fin  with  strong  spines,  the  soft  portion 
similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal;  ventral  fins  reaching  slightly  past  origin 
of  anal  in  young,  to  vent  in  adult ;  pectoral  fins  inserted  over  or  a  little  in 
advance  of  ventrals,  i.i  to  1.5  in  head. 

Color  brownish,  with  more  or  less  yellow  on  lower  parts;  rows  of 
scales  on  sides  marked  with  very  distinct  black  streaks;  a  jet-black 
band,  edged  with  white  on  sides,  extending  from  nape  through  eye  to 
throat;  young  with  a  broad  dusky  band  from  anterior  dorsal  spine  to 
abdomen,  passing  behind  base  of  pectorals,  wanting  in  adult;  very 
young  with  two  black  ocelli,  a  small  one  not  much  larger  than  pupil 
on  the  anterior  rays  of  dorsal  and  one  larger  than  eye  on  side  below 
base  of  posterior  rays  of  dorsal,  the  one  on  the  dorsal  disappearing 
with  age,  sometimes  remaining  faintly  visible  in  specimens  30  mm.  in 
length,  but  disappearing  wholly  in  larger  ones ;  the  large  ocellus  on 
body  below  dorsal  persisting;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  each  with  a 
brown  band,  becoming  dark  on  each  edge,  bounded  on  outer  side  on 


768     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

dorsal  and  anal  by  a  narrow  white  line,  on  the  caudal  by  broad  pale 
band  on  each  side ;  the  margin  of  the  vertical  fins  plain  translucent. 

This  is  a  common  species  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  We 
preserved  82  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  25  to  105  mm.  It  was 
found  on  rocky  bottom  as  well  as  on  soft  bottom  which  supported 
vegetation. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Trinidad.     Our  specimens  are 
from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

553.  Chaetodon  striatus  Linnaeus. 

• 

Choetodon  striatus  Linnaeus,   Syst.   Nat.,  Ed.  X,   1758,  275    (India); 

Eigenmann  &  Horning,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1887,  8;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1677. 
Sarothrodus  striatus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  352. 

Head  2.4  to  2.85;  depth  1.4  to  1.6;  D.  XII,  19  to  21;  A.  Ill,  16 
to  18;  scales  39  to  44. 

Body  very  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  concave, 
except  in  very  young;  head  short;  snout  pointed,  2.7  to  3.1  in  head;  eye 
2.5  to  3.1 ;  mouth  very  small,  terminal ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  slender,  flexible, 
in  bands;  gill-membranes  attached  to  isthmus,  the  rakers  rudimentary; 
lateral  line  strongly  arched,  ending  at  base  of  last  rays  of  dorsal ;  scales 
moderate,  ctenoid,  those  on  the  head  reduced,  rows  on  sides  above  axis 
running  obliquely  upward  and  backward,  those  below  the  axis  running 
downward  and  backward;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled,  except  in  very 
young;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  over  or  slightly  in  advance  of 
posterior  margin  of  opercle,  the  spines  moderate,  the  longest  equal  to 
the  distance  from  end  of  snout  to  preopercular  margin ;  caudal  fin  with 
straight  or  slightly  rounded  margin;  anal  fin  with  rather  strong  spines, 
the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal  but  slightly  shorter ;  ventral 
fins  reaching  to  or  slightly  beyond  origin  of  anal  in  young,  to  vent  in 
adult;  pectoral  fins  inserted  over  base  of  ventrals,  i.i  to  1.5  in  head. 

Color  pale  greenish;  the  rows  of  scales  on  sides  marked  by  dark 
streaks ;  a  black  band  from  nape  through  eye  to  throat ;  a  broader  band 
from  anterior  spines  of  dorsal  to  abdomen,  passing  just  behind  base 
of  pectorals  and  ventrals;  another  broad  band  extending  from  tips  of 
last  spines  of  dorsal  to  tips  of  anterior  rays  of  anal;  a  fourth  band 
usually  present  on  posterior  part  of  soft  dorsal  and  anal,  crossing 
caudal  peduncle ;  this  bar  indefinite  in  some  specimens  and  represented  by 
a  small  ocellus  on  the  caudal  peduncle  in  one  (32  mm.)  ;  anterior  rays 
of  soft  dorsal  with  a  distinct  ocellus  in  young,  only  slightly  smaller  than 
eye,  becoming  a  mere  blotch  and  disappearing  when  the  fish  reaches  a 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       769 

length  of  about  55  mm. ;  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  pale  margin  pos- 
teriorly; caudal  fin  with  alternating  black  and  pale  bars;  ventral  fins 
mostly  black ;  pectorals  plain  translucent. 

This  species  is  not  abundant  on  the  coast  of  Panama.  We  have 
ten  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  25  to  55  mm.  The  smallest  one 
was  taken  from  a  tide  pool  and  the  others  were  seined  from  among 
eel-grass. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Toro  Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

554.  Chaetodon  nigrirostris  (Gill). 

Sarothrodus  nigrirostris  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  243  (Cape 

San  Lucas). 
Chatodon  nigrirostris  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882, 

365;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1673,  PI.  CCXLVIII,  fig.  620;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 

Sci.,  IV,  1904,  148,  PI.  XXIV,  fig.  47  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Kendall  & 

Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  142  ( Acapulco ; 

Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay). 
Chcetodon  capistratus  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus.  Zool.  Anat.  Torino,  XIV, 

No.  346,  1899,  3  (Darien,  Panama;  not  of  Linnaeus). 

Head  2.55  to  3;  depth  1.2  to  3.45;  D.  XII,  24  or  25;  A.  Ill,  18 
or  19;  scales  45  to  56. 

Body  very  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  deeply  con- 
cave ;  head  short ;  snout  pointed,  2.65  to  2.85  in  head ;  eye  2.9  to  3.45 ; 
mouth  very  small,  terminal ;  maxillary  slipping  under  preorbital,  about 
three- fourths  the  length  of  eye;  teeth  in  the  jaws  pointed,  flexible, 
in  bands ;  gill-membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  obsolete ; 
lateral  line  much  arched,  becoming  straight  on  caudal  peduncle ;  scales 
ctenoid,  reduced  on  head  (except  cheek)  and  caudal  peduncle,  the 
rows  running  obliquely  upward  and  backward  above  median  line  of 
side,  nearly  horizontal  on  lower  parts;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled, 
except  on  margins ;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  only  slightly  behind 
vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  the  spines  very  strong,  the 
longest  one  a  little  longer  than  eye  and  snout;  margin  of  caudal  fin 
straight  or  slightly  convex ;  anal  fin  with  strong  spines,  the  soft  portion 
similar  to  that  of  dorsal,  but  shorter  and  with  a  somewhat  more 
strongly  convex  margin;  ventral  fins  moderate,  equal  to  or  somewhat 
longer  than  pectorals,  reaching  past  origin  of  anal  in  young,  to  vent 
in  adult;  pectoral  fins  inserted  slightly  in  advance  of  ventrals,  i  to  1.2 
in  head. 


770     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Color  of  a  fresh  specimen  160  mm.  in  length:  Ground  color  of 
head  pale ;  body  and  fins  yellowish  green ;  upper  part  of  snout  mostly 
jet-black ;  a  dark  blotch  above  each  eye ;  a  wedge-shaped  bar  beginning 
at  origin  of  dorsal,  extending  toward  orbits,  bordered  posteriorly  by  a 
pale  yellow  bar ;  margin  of  opercle  jet-black ;  a  narrow  black  bar  above 
and  behind  upper  angle  of  gill-opening;  upper  part  of  base  of  pectoral 
black;  a  broad  jet-black  bar  extending  from  fourth  dorsal  spine  across 
base  of  dorsal  and  caudal  peduncle.  In  the  young  the  black  margin  of 
opercle,  the  bar  above  and  behind  upper  angle  of  gill-opening  and  the 
black  base  of  pectorals  are  all  united  in  one  broad  bar. 

This  apparently  rare  species  is  represented  in  the  Panama  collec- 
tion by  only  two  specimens,  respectively  150  and  i6omm.  in  length. 
These  were  secured  by  the  use  of  dynamite  off  the  shores  of  a  small 
island  near  Balboa.  We  have  the  "type  specimens"  for  comparison. 

Known  from  Cape  San  Lucas  to  the  Galapagos  Islands.  Our 
specimens  are  from  Balboa. 

555.  Chaetodon  humeralis  Giinther. 

Chcetodon  humeralis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  19 
(?  "Sandwich  Islands";  probably  Panama);  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool. 
Soc.  London,  1866,  419,  PI.  LXV,  fig.  3;  Jordan  &  Evermann, 
Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1674;  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus. 
Zool.  Anat.  Torino,  XIV,  No.  346,  1899,  3  (Darien,  Panama)  ;  Gil- 
bert &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  149  (Panama  Bay)  ; 
Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912, 
142  (Acapulco;  Perico  and  Taboguilla  islands,  Panama  Bay);  Fow- 
ler, Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama  Bay). 
Head  2.3  to  3.1 ;  depth  1.3  to  1.55;  D.  XIII,  18  to  20;  A.  Ill,  15 
to  17;  scales  35  to  40. 

Body  deep,  strongly  compressed ;  anterior  profile  concave  in  adult, 
straight  or  even  slightly  convex  in  very  young;  head  short  and  deep; 
snout  moderately  pointed,  2.8  to  3.7  in  head ;  eye  2.6  to  3.35 ;  mouth 
very  small,  terminal;  maxillary  mostly  exposed,  about  ^.  the  length 
of  eye ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  very  numerous,  flexible,  bristle-like,  in  bands ; 
gill-membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  obsolete;  lateral 
line  strongly  arched,  ending  at  base  of  last  rays  of  dorsal,  not  present 
on  caudal  peduncle;  scales  large  on  anterior  part  of  sides,  notably 
reduced  on  head,  the  rows  running  obliquely  upward  and  backward 
on  upper  part  of  sides,  becoming  nearly  horizontal  on  lower  parts ; 
vertical  fins  densely  scaled;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  over  margin  of 
opercle,  the  spines  strong,  the  longest  equal  to  distance  from  end  of 
snout  to  margin  of  preopercle ;  caudal  fin  straight  or  slightly  rounded ; 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       771 

anal  fins  with  rather  strong  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of 
dorsal ;  ventral  fins  moderate,  reaching  beyond  origin  of  anal  in  young, 
sometimes  failing  to  reach  vent  in  adult ;  pectoral  fins  inserted  slightly 
in  advance  of  base  of  ventrals,  i.i  to  1.5  in  head. 

Color  of  adult  in  life  yellowish;  tip  of  upper  jaw  black;  a  dark 
band  from  nape  through  eye  to  lower  margin  of  opercle;  a  broader 
band,  about  equal  to  length  of  eye,  from  base  of  first  dorsal  spines  to 
and  across  base  of  pectoral;  another  broad  black  band  from  tips  of 
last  dorsal  spines  to  base  of  anterior  rays  of  anal;  a  narrow  black 
band  at  base  of  caudal  and  two  on  caudal  fin;  soft  dorsal  and  anal 
with  a  broad  intramarginal  band  and  with  a  narrow  yellowish  margin ; 
very  young  similar  to  adult,  but  the  rows  of  scales  on  sides  marked 
with  more  or  less  distinct  dark  stripes;  and  the  caudal  fin  without 
black  bars. 

This  is  a  common  species  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  We 
preserved  72  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  33  to  130  mm.  It  is 
occasionally  seen  in  the  markets  and  is  used  as  food  to  a  limited 
extent.  It  is  common  in  rocky  tide  pools  and  on  the  shores  of  the 
small  islands  near  Panama  City. 

Known  from  Guaymas  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Taboga  Island,  Naos  Island,  tide  pools  at  Balboa  and  Panama. 

556.  Chaetodon  ocellatus    Bloch. 

Chatodon  ocellatus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  III,   1787,   105,  PI. 

CCXI,  fig.  2  (  ?East  Indies)  ;  Eigenmann  &  Horning,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Ac. 

Sci.,  IV,  1887,  7 ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1674,  PI.  CCXLIX,  fig.  621;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci. 

Phila.,  1917,  135  (Colon). 
Chatodon  bimaculatus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  IV,  1790,  9,  PI. 

CCIX,  fig.  i  (?  East  Indies). 
Sarothrodus  maculo-cinctus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  99 

(Newport,  R.  I.;  young). 

Sarothrodus  amplexicollis  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  63  (Cuba;  young). 
Chcetodon  maculocinctus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XVI,  1882  (1883),  615. 

Head  2.5  to  3;  depth  1.35  to  1.6;  D.  XII,  19  to  21 ;  A.  Ill,  16  to 
18;  scales  27  to  35. 

Body  very  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  notably 
concave,  except  in  very  young;  head  short  and  deep;  snout  pointed, 
2.5  to  2.85  in  head;  eye  2.5  to  3.5;  mouth  very  small,  the  lower  jaw 
slightly  in  advance  of  the  upper;  maxillary  slipping  under  preorbital, 


772     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

its  length  somewhat  less  than  the  diameter  of  the  eye;  teeth  in  the 
jaws  slender,  flexible,  in  bands;  gill-membranes  attached  to  isthmus, 
the  rakers  rudimentary;  lateral  line  running  high,  and  ending  under 
the  posterior  rays  of  the  soft  dorsal;  scales  ctenoid,  large  on  sides, 
reduced  on  caudal  peduncle  and  on  head,  the  rows  running  obliquely 
upward  and  backward  on  upper  portion  of  sides  and  becoming  nearly 
horizontal  below;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled;  dorsal  fin  long,  its 
origin  over  upper  angle  of  gill-opening,  the  spines  strong,  the  longest 
one  about  equal  to  length  of  eye  and  snout;  caudal  fin  with  straight 
or  slightly  rounded  margin;  anal  fin  with  strong  spines,  the  soft 
portion  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  ventrals  moderate,  nearly  as  long  as 
pectorals,  reaching  past  origin  of  anal  in  young,  not  quite  to  vent  in 
adult;  pectoral  fins  inserted  slightly  in  advance  of  base  of  ventrals, 
1.3  to  1.45  in  head. 

Color  in  life  of  a  specimen  140  mm.  in  length:  Body  gray  on  sides, 
base  of  each  scale  pale;  lower  parts  yellowish;  a  yellow  streak  from 
angle  of  mouth  backward  to  eye;  a  jet-black  bar,  about  three-fourths 
the  width  of  eye,  extending  from  origin  of  dorsal  through  eye  to  lower 
margin  of  opercle,  this  bar  with  a  yellow  margin  posteriorly  above 
eye;  membranous  margin  of  opercle,  base  of  pectorals,  and  caudal 
peduncle  orange;  fins  all  orange;  dorsal  with  pale  margin  and  a  jet- 
black  quadrate  spot  at  the  tips  of  the  longest  rays ;  caudal  fin  with  a 
pale  margin  and  pale  band  across  distal  third;  anal  fin  with  pale 
streaks.  In  the  young  a  black  bar  extends  from  the  base  of  the  soft 
dorsal  to  the  base  of  the  anal,  the  bar  being  broadest  and  most  distinct 
on  base  of  dorsal,  where  a  dark  blotch  is  evident  even  in  moderately 
large  examples  (120  mm.)  ;  the  soft  dorsal  of  the  young  with  an  intra- 
marginal  black  line  broadened  on  the  longest  rays,  later  giving  rise  to  a 
quadrate  blotch ;  this  dark  marking  on  the  distal  part  of  the  dorsal  wholly 
wanting  in  our  smallest  individuals  (32  mm.). 

This  fish  is  apparently  rather  rare  on  the  coast  of  Panama.  We 
secured  only  8  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  32  to  140  mm. 

The  range  of  this  species  reaches  from  Massachusetts  to  Trinidad. 
Our  specimens  were  taken  at  Toro  Point ;  Fox  Bay,  Colon ;  and  Porto 
Bello. 

200.  Genus  Pomacanthus  Lacepede. 

Pomacanthus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  517  (type  Ch&todon 

arcuatus  Linnaeus). 
Pomacanthodes  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  244  (type  Poma- 

canthodes  zonipectus  Gill). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       773 

Body  very  deep,  much  compressed;  head  short,  blunt;  preopercle 
slightly  serrate  or  entire,  a  very  strong  spine  at  its  lower  posterior 
angle;  interopercle  unarmed;  scales  small,  unequal;  dorsal  and  anal 
densely  scaled ;  dorsal  with  8  to  1 1  graduated  spines,  the  soft  portion 
usually  much  elevated  in  front  in  the  adult;  caudal  fin  with  straight 
or  rounded  margin;  anal  fin  with  3  strong  graduated  spines,  the  soft 
portion  usually  similar  to  that  of  dorsal.  The  individuals  vary  much 
with  age  and  the  species  are  often  difficult  to  define.  Only  three 
species,  two  on  the  Pacific  and  one  on  the  Atlantic,  were  taken. 

KEY   TO  THE   SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  with  9  spines;  caudal  fin  with  straight  or  slightly 
concave  margin,  angulate  at  outer  rays;  soft  dorsal  and  anal 
anteriorly  much  elevated  in  adult;  each  scale  on  side  with 
pale  margin;  caudal  fin  with  a  broad  pale  margin. 

arcuatus,  p.  773. 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  with  10  spines;  caudal  fin  convex,  not  angulate  at 
outer  rays;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  anteriorly  much  elevated  in 
adult;  only  a  part  of  the  scales  on  sides  with  white  margins; 
caudal  fin  with  a  very  narrow  pale  margin.  paru,  p.  775. 

aaa.  Dorsal  fin  with  II  spines;  caudal  fin  convex,  not  angulate  at 
outer  rays ;  soft  dorsal  anteriorly  moderately  elevated ;  anal 
fin  with  convex  margin,  never  angulate  or  elevated;  some  of 
the  scales  on  sides  with  black  bases  and  pale  blue  margins. 

zonipectus,  p.  776. 

557.  Pomacanthus  arcuatus  (Linnaeus). 

Ch&todon  arcuatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  273  ("India"; 

from  specimen  in  Mus.  Adolph  Frederici). 
Chatodon  aureus  Bloch,    Naturg.   Ausl.   Fische,    III,    1787,   49,   PI. 

CXCIII,  fig.  i   (Martinique;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier). 
Chetodon  lutescens  Bonnaterre,  Tableau  Encyclo.,  Ichth.,  VI,  1788,  82 

(Jamaica;  after  Browne). 

Pomacanthus  aureus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  518. 
Pomacanthus  balteatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  VII, 

1831,  208  (Porto  Rico). 
Pomacanthus  cingulatus   Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,   Hist.    Nat.   Poiss., 

VII,  1831,  209,  PI.  CLXXXV  (West  Indies;  probably  Porto  Rico). 
Pomacanthus  quinquecinctus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss., 

VII,  1831,  210  (West  Indies;  probably  Porto  Rico). 
Pomacanthus  paru  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  55  (in  part). 


774     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Chcetodon  littoricola  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  351  (Cuba). 
Pomacanthus  arcuatus  Jordan  &  Rutter,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila., 

1897,  125;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1679,  PI.  CCLI,  fig.  623;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ. 
Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,  1913,  62;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916, 
405  (Colon) ;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  156  (Caledonia 
Bay). 

Head  3.3  to  3.85;  depth  1.3  to  1.4;  D.  IX,  32  or  33;  A.  Ill,  23  to 
25 ;  scales  about  80. 

Body  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  rather  steep, 
straight  or  gently  convex;  head  very  short,  deep;  snout  blunt,  2.1  to 
2.9  in  head;  eye  3  or  4;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  in  advance 
of  the  upper;  teeth  in  the  jaws  numerous,  slender,  flexible,  in  bands; 
preopercular  margin  smooth  in  adult,  crenate  in  young,  the  spine  at 
lower  angle  large,  flattened,  with  a  sharp  point  and  cutting  edges ;  gill- 
membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  short;  lateral  line 
arched,  continuous;  scales  ctenoid,  much  reduced  on  head  and  chest, 
irregular  on  sides,  lateral  series  difficult  to  enumerate;  vertical  fins 
densely  scaled;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  over  or  a  little  behind  pos- 
terior margin  of  opercle,  the  spines  graduated,  the  longest  one  not 
much  shorter  than  head,  a  few  of  the  anterior  rays  of  the  soft  dorsal 
much  produced  in  adult,  filamentous;  caudal  fin  straight  or  slightly 
concave,  angulate  at  outer  rays  (this  condition  not  evident  in  young 
of  less  than  90  mm.)  ;  anal  fin  preceded  by  3  strong  graduated  spines, 
the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  long,  the  outer 
rays  filamentous;  pectoral  fins  rather  short,  i.i  to  1.25  in  head. 

Color  of  adult  in  alcohol  brownish,  each  scale  on  sides  with  a  pale 
margin;  fins  dark  brown,  the  caudal  with  a  broad  pale  margin;  young 
much  darker;  very  young  nearly  black;  a  white  bar  on  snout  at  angle 
of  mouth;  another  white  bar  from  nape  across  preopercular  margin  to 
chest;  a  third  bar  curved  forward  from  tips  of  last  dorsal  spines 
across  body  to  origin  of  anal ;  a  fourth  bar  from  middle  of  soft  dorsal, 
curved  forward  and  ending  on  tips  of  middle  anal  rays;  a  white  circle 
around  caudal  fin  in  very  young;  this  circle  forming  2  bars  when  the 
fish  reaches  a  length  of  about  90  mm.,  one  at  base  of  caudal  and  one 
on  the  margin  of  the  fin,  the  latter  being  the  only  bar  persisting  in  the 
adult. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us  at  Panama.  It  is  here  described  from 
specimens  from  the  Bahamas,  West  Indies  and  Brazil,  ranging  in 
length  from  70  to  280  mm. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       775 

Known  from  New  Jersey  to  Brazil.  It  is  recorded  from  Panama  by 
both  Fowler  and  Breder. 

558.  Pomaeanthus  paru  (Bloch). 

Chcetodon  paru  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  III,  1787,  57,  PL  CXCVII, 

fig,  i  (Brazil). 
Pomaeanthus  arcuatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  VII, 

1831,  211  (not  of  Linnaeus). 
Pomaeanthus  paru  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,   Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,  VII, 

1831,  205;  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  55  (in  part)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1680; 

Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,  1913,  61  (Natal, 

Brazil). 

Head  3.1  to  3.6;  depth  1.25  to  1.45;  D.  X,  29  to  33;  A.  Ill,  22  to 
24;  scales  about  90. 

Body  very  deep,  strongly  compressed ;  anterior  profile  rather  steep, 
gently  convex;  head  .short,  very  deep;  snout  blunt,  2.35  to  2.8  in  head; 
eye  2.45  to  3.6;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  slightly  in  advance 
of  the  upper ;  teeth  numerous,  slender,  flexible,  in  bands ;  preopercular 
margin  slightly  crenate  in  young,  nearly  straight  in  adult,  the  spine 
at  lower  angle  broad,  flat,  with  sharp  point  and  cutting  edges ;  gill- 
membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  very  short;  lateral  line 
arched,  continuous ;  scales  ctenoid,  much  reduced  on  head  and  anterior 
part  of  body,  irregular  on  sides,  lateral  series  difficult  to  enumerate ; 
vertical  fins  densely  scaled;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  slightly  behind 
posterior  margin  of  opercle,  the  spines  graduated,  the  longest  one  only 
slightly  shorter  than  head ;  a  few  anterior  rays  of  soft  dorsal  produced, 
filamentous  in  adult ;  caudal  fin  rounded  at  all  ages ;  anal  fin  preceded 
by  3  strong  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal  but  the 
anterior  rays  not  as  prominently  produced ;  ventral  fins  long,  the  outer 
rays  more  or  less  filamentous;  pectoral  fins  short,  i.i  to  1.33  in  head. 

Color  of  a  fresh  specimen  190  mm.  long:  Very  dark;  a  part  of 
the  scales  on  sides  with  yellow  margins,  making  it  appear  as  if  the 
scales  were  much  larger  than  they  prove  to  be  upon  closer  examination  ; 
a  yellow  bar  from  eye  to  nostrils;  a  faint  yellowish  bar  at  base  of 
pectorals;  margin  of  opercle  and  preopercular  spine  yellow;  a  faint 
pale  band  from  produced  rays  of  dorsal  across  body  to  vent ;  fins 
mostly  black ;  produced  rays  of  dorsal  yellow ;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal 
posteriorly  with  very  narrow  white  margins;  pectoral  fins  with  a 
broad  pale  margin.  A  small  specimen,  60  mm.  in  length,  is  jet-black, 
with  yellow  cross-bars  as  follows :  one  on  snout  across  angle  of  mouth, 


776     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

the  second  from  nape  across  preopercular  margin  to  chest,  the  third 
from  tips  of  anterior  rays  of  soft  dorsal  running  forward  across  body 
to  vent,  the  fourth  from  tips  of  soft  dorsal,  forward  and  across  body 
to  tips  of  middle  rays  of  anal ;  and  a  yellow  ring  encircling  the  caudal 
fin.  Our  largest  specimen  is  without  bars  except  for  a  short  one  from 
eye  to  nostrils  and  one  across  base  of  pectoral,  and  the  ground  color 
of  body  is  dark  brown. 

This  is  a  rather  rare  species  on  the  coast  of  Panama  where  only 
four  specimens  were  secured,  ranging  from  60  to  21 5  mm.  in  length. 
Our  specimens  were  taken  on  coral  reefs  by  the  use  of  dynamite. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  southward  to  Brazil.  It  is  also  re- 
corded from  Ascension  Island.  Our  specimens  were  taken  at  Toro 
Point,  Colon  Reef  and  Porto  Bello. 

559.  Pomacanthus  zonipectus  (Gill). 

Pomacanthodes  zonipectus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  244 

(San  Salvador). 
Pomacanthus  crescentalis  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1 88 1,  358  (Mazatlan;  young). 

Pomacanthus  zonipectus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1882,  376;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  1681,  PI.  CCLII,  fig.  624;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 
Sci.,  IV,  1904,  150  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir. 
Mus.    Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,    1912,    143    (Perico   Island,   Panama 
Bay)  ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama  Bay). 
Head  3.3  to  3.7;  depth  1.25  to  1.43;  D.  XI,  24  or  25;  A.  Ill,  20 

to  22 ;  scales  about  85. 

Body  very  deep,  strongly  compressed;  anterior  profile  uneven, 
with  more  or  less  of  a  hump  at  the  nape ;  head  short  and  deep ;  snout 
very  blunt,  2.4  to  3  in  head;  eye  2.8  to  4;  mouth  small,  the  lower  jaw 
slightly  in  advance  of  the  upper;  teeth  numerous,  slender,  flexible,  in 
bands;  preopercular  margin  slightly  crenate,  the  spine  on  lower  pos- 
terior angle  large,  with  sharp  point  and  cutting  edges;  gill-membranes 
attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  very  short;  lateral  line  arched, 
complete ;  scales  ctenoid,  much  reduced  on  anterior  part  of  body  and 
head,  the  rows  irregular  on  sides ;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled ;  the 
dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  over  posterior  margin  of  opercle,  the  spines 
graduated,  the  longest  about  equal  to  the  distance  from  end  of  snout 
to  margin  of  preopercle,  the  anterior  portion  of  soft  dorsal  produced 
in  adult,  but  not  as  much  so  as  in  related  species ;  caudal  fin  posteriorly 
straight  or  slightly  rounded;  anal  fin  preceded  by  3  strong  spines,  the 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       777 

soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal,  except  that  the  anterior  rays 
are  never  produced,  the  outline  convex  not  angulate ;  ventral  fins  very 
long,  the  outer  rays  produced;  pectoral  fins  short,  I  to  1.22  in  head. 

Color  of  a  specimen  250  mm.  in  length:  Dark  brown;  scales  on 
sides  irregularly  with  black  bases  and  pale  blue  margins ;  a  curved  pale 
band  bounded  fore  and  aft  with  black  extending  from  middle  of 
spinous  dorsal  to  vent;  fins  very  dark,  the  pectorals  with  pale  spots. 
Color  of  the  young  (45  mm.)  as  in  P.  paru,  except  that  the  yellow 
bars  are  apparently  slightly  narrower  and  more  numerous,  there  being 
6  instead  of  4;  the  anterior  4  situated  as  in  P.  paru,  but  the  fifth  bending 
forward  from  the  end  of  the  posterior  rays  of  soft  dorsal  across  body 
to  end  of  posterior  rays  of  anal;  the  sixth  bar  on  the  middle  of  the 
caudal  fin. 

This  species,  although  reported  rare  by  Gilbert  &  Starks,  was  found 
to  be  fairly  common.  We  preserved  23  specimens  ranging  from  100 
to  255  mm.  in  length.  Besides  these  we  have  examined  small  speci- 
mens from  Nicaragua  and  Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay.  It  is  used  as 
food  to  a  limited  extent. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from  Taboga 
Island,  Balboa  and  the  Panama  City  market. 

201.  Genus  Holacanthus  Lacepede. 

Holacanthus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  525  (type  Chceto- 

don  tricolor  Linnaeus). 
Genicanthus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  212  (type 

Holacanthus  lamarckii  Cuvier). 
Centropyge  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXVI,  1860,  140  (type  Centropyge 

tibicen  Kaup). 
Acanthochatodon  Bleeker,  Arch.  Neerl.  Sci.  Nat.,  XI,  1876,  308  (type 

Holacanthus  annularis  Lacepede). 

Body  oblong,  rather  robust;  back  not  compressed;  head  short  and 
blunt;  preopercle  serrate,  with  a  large  spine  at  its  lower  posterior 
angle,  this  spine  often  preceded  by  I  or  2  short  spines  on  lower  margin 
of  preopercle;  interopercle  with  from  I  to  4  short  spines;  preorbital 
anteriorly  with  2  or  more  large  serrse;  scales  firm,  strongly  ctenoid, 
small  accessory  scales  often  present;  dorsal  with  12  to  15  spines, 
usually  graduated;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  anteriorly  elevated  or  not; 
color  unusually  brilliant.  The  species  are  common  in  all  tropical  seas.  A 
single  species  is  known  from  Panama  (west  coast).  We,  however, 
have  included  in  our  discussion  the  single  known  species  from  the 


778     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Atlantic  coast  of  America  which  has  been  recorded  from  localities 
both  north  and  south  of  the  Isthmus. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  on  sides  each  with  several  accessory  scales  on  base; 
caudal  fin  with  convex  margin,  the  outer  rays  never  produced 
nor  angulate ;  head  and  trunk  black ;  sides  with  a  white  bar 
(young  also  with  several  narrow  bluish  bars) .  passer,  p.  778. 

aa.  Scales  on  sides  each  with  a  single  accessory  scale  on  base  or 
none;  outer  rays  of  caudal  produced  in  adult,  merely  angulate 
in  young;  head  and  anterior  part  of  trunk  yellow,  the  rest  of 
body  black.  tricolor,  p.  779. 

560.  Holacanthus  passer  Valenciennes. 

Holacanthus  passer  Valenciennes,  Voy.  Venus,  Zool.,  Poiss.,  1846,  PL 

VI,  text,  1855,  327  (Galapagos  Islands). 
Holacanthus  strigatus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  243  (Cape 

San  Lucas). 
Pomacanthus  passer  Eigenmann  &  Horning,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1887,  14. 
Holacanthus  passer  Jordan   &  Evermann,   Bull.   U.    S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1682 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,   150    (Panama  Bay)  ;   Kendall  &  Radcliffe,   Memoir.   Mus. 

Comp.  Zool.,   XXXV,    1912,    143    (Acapulco;   Taboguilla  Island, 

Panama  Bay;  Chatham  Island). 

Head  3.25  to  4;  depth  1.45  to  1.65;  D.  XIV,  18  to  20;  A.  Ill,  17 
to  19;  scales  46  to  53. 

Body  rather  deep,  moderately  compressed ;  anterior  profile  concave 
in  adult,  a  slight  nuchal  hump  present ;  head  short,  deep ;  snout  blunt, 
2.4  to  2.5  in  head;  eye  4  to  4.95;  mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth 
numerous,  slender,  flexible,  in  bands;  posterior  margin  of  preopercle 
serrate,  the  spine  at  lower  angle  extremely  large,  preceded  by  2  or  3 
short  spines  on  lower  margin  of  the  preopercle,  these»  becoming 
obsolete  in  very  large  examples;  interopercle  with  from  I  to  3  short 
spines ;  gill-membranes  narrowly  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers 
very  short;  lateral  line  arched,  becoming  horizontal  only  on  caudal 
peduncle;  scales  very  strongly  ctenoid,  reduced  on  head,  in  regular 
series  on  sides,  the  large  scales  with  several  small  accessory  scales  at 
base;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled;  dorsal  fin  long,  the  spines  strong, 
graduated,  the  longest  slightly  exceeding  the  length  of  snout,  the  soft 
dorsal  anteriorly  much  elevated  in  adult;  caudal  fin  slightly  convex  at 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       779 

all  ages,  the  outer  rays  never  produced  nor  angulate;  anal  fin  with  3 
strong  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar  to  that  of  dorsal ;  ventral  fins 
long,  the  outer  rays  more  or  less  produced ;  pectoral  fins  rather  short, 
i.i  to  1.4  in  head. 

Color  of  adult  satin-black;  a  white  bar  with  its  origin  under  fifth 
and  sixth  dorsal  spines  extending  down  sides  and  ending  under  tips  of 
pectorals ;  scales  on  sides  behind  the  white  bar  with  greenish  margins ; 
angle  of  mouth  yellow ;  a  greenish  yellow  region  about  the  base  of 
pectorals;  a  purple  bar  from  eye  to  eye;  lining  of  gill-covers  yellow; 
dorsal  and  anal  mostly  satin-black ;  the  spinous  dorsal  deep  orange ;  the 
soft  dorsal  with  a  narrow  orange  intramarginal  band  and  a  blue  margin ; 
anal  with  streaks  of  red,  becoming  broadest  on  distal  part  of  the  rays, 
the  margin  blue ;  caudal  fin  orange,  with  a  narrow  yellow  band  at  base 
and  a  very  narrow  dark  blue  margin;  ventrals  pale  yellow;  pectorals 
uniform  orange.  Young  with  2  distinct  blue  bands  on  head,  one  just 
anterior  to  eyes,  the  other  just  back  of  eyes ;  4  indistinct  bluish  bars  be- 
tween the  white  bars  on  side  and  base  of  caudal. 

This  species,  although  reported  as  common  in  the  rocky  pools 
about  Panama  City  by  Gilbert  &  Starks,  was  rarely  seen  by  us.  We 
secured  only  7  specimens,  ranging  from  140  to  305  mm.  in  length. 
We  have  for  comparison  the  type  of  H.  strigatus  Gill,  a  specimen 
85  mm.  in  length,  upon  which  we  base  the  color  description  of  the 
young.  A  comparison  of  specimens  of  this  species  and  H.  tricolor 
shows  that  the  present  species  possesses  more  numerous  accessory 
scales  at  the  base  of  the  large  scales,  the  caudal  fin  is  always  rounded, 
never  angulate,  and  the  color  is  very  strikingly  different. 

Known  from  Acapulco  south  to  the  Galapagos  Islands.  Our  speci- 
mens are  from  Taboga  Island  and  Balboa. 

561.  Holacanthus  tricolor  (Bloch). 

Chatodon  tricolor  Bloch,   Naturg.  Ausl.   Fische,   IX,   1795,    103,   PL 

CCCCXXVI. 
Holacanthus  tricolor  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  525;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1684,  PI.  CCLIII, 

fig.  625 ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac,  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  (Colon). 
Genicanthus  tricolor  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  212. 
Pomacanthus  tricolor  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882  (1883),  941. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  1.45  to  1.95;  D.  XIV  (rarely  XV),  17  or 
18;  A.  Ill,  17  to  19;  scales  44  to  48. 


780     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  anterior  profile  gently 
convex;  head  short;  snout  blunt,  2.2  to  2.75  in  head;  eye  3.1  to  4.4; 
mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth  in  the  jaws  numerous,  slender,  flexible, 
in  bands;  posterior  margin  of  preopercle  serrate,  with  an  excessively 
large  spine  at  lower  angle,  preceded  by  a  small  spine  on  lower  margin 
of  preopercle;  interopercle  with  2  or  3  short  spines;  gill-membranes 
narrowly  attached  to  the  isthmus,  the  rakers  short ;  lateral  line  arched, 
becoming  straight  on  caudal  peduncle ;  scales  strongly  ctenoid,  reduced 
on  head,  in  regular  series  on  sides,  the  large  scales  with  a  single 
accessory  scale  at  base  or  none ;  vertical  fins  densely  scaled ;  dorsal  fin 
long,  the  spines  strong,  graduated,  the  longest  equal  to  length  of  eye 
and  snout,  the  soft  portion  anteriorly  produced  in  adult,  filamentous; 
caudal  fin  convex,  with  the  outer  rays  produced  in  adult,  simply 
convex  in  young ;  anal  fin  with  3  strong  spines,  the  soft  portion  similar 
to  that  of  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  moderate  the  outer  rays  more  or  less 
produced;  pectoral  fins  rather  short,  i.i  to  1.4  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits :  Head,  anterior  part  of  trunk,  caudal,  ventrals  and 
pectorals  pale  (golden  yellow  in  life;  ;  the  rest  of  the  body  and  lips 
black;  dorsal  and  anal  posteriorly  with  pale  margin  (scarlet  in  life). 

This  species  was  not  taken  b>  us,  but  it  has  been  recorded  from 
Panama  by  Fowler.  It  is  here  described  from  specimens  from  the  West 
Indies,  ranging  from  100  to  190  mm.  in  length. 

Known  from  Bermuda  south  to  Bahia,  Brazil. 

Family  LXV.  Acanthuridae.* 

SURGEON-FISHES. 

Body  ovoid  or  oblong,  compressed;  head  short;  snout  long;  eye 
placed  high;  preorbital  broad;  nostrils  double;  mouth  small,  terminal; 
teeth  in  a  single  series  in  each  jaw;  gill-opening  restricted,  the  mem- 
branes attached  to  the  isthmus ;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth ;  gill- 
rakers  rudimentary;  pseudobranchiae  large;  scales  small;  sides  of 
caudal  peduncle  armed  with  one  or  more  spines  or  bony  plates ;  lateral 
line  complete ;  pelvic  bones  long  and  narrow ;  air  bladder  large ;  intes- 
tinal canal  long;  pyloric  caeca  few;  dorsal  fin  single,  very  long,  the 
spinous  part  shorter  than  the  soft  part;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  portion 
of  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  present,  thoracic,  with  5  soft  rays  and  one  spine. 
Fishes  of  tropical  or  subtropical  waters.  Two  genera  are  represented  on 
the  coasts  of  Panama. 

*This  family  is  given  under  the  name  Hepatida  in  the  "Key  to  the  Families" 
in  Part  I,  p.  22,  of  the  present  work. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       781 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Caudal  peduncle  armed  with  a  single  sharp-edged  spine,  cap- 
able of  being  erected  from  a  groove.  Acanthurus,  p.  781. 

aa.  Caudal  peduncle  armed  with  immovable  spines,  tubercles  or 
plates.  Xesurus,  p.  785. 

202.  Genus  Acanthurus  Forskal. 

Acanthurus  Forskal,  Descr.  Animal.,  1775,  59  (type  Chatodon  sohal 

Forskal). 
Aspisurus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  556  (type  Chcetodon 

sohar  Forskal). 

The  caudal  peduncle  of  this  genus  is  armed  with  a  single  sharp 
movable  spine,  which  is  capable  of  being  erected  from  a  groove;  teeth 
strong,  incisor-like,  fixed;  ventral  rays  I,  5;  dorsal  spines  usually  9; 
anal  spines  3.  The  species  of  this  genus,  owing  to  the  marked  changes 
taking  place  with  age,  are  difficult  to  define  in  a  key.  In  order  to  under- 
stand the  relationship,  it  is  necessary  to  compare  specimens  of  like  size. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Body  deep,  rhomboid,  the  depth  1.55  to  1.75  in  length;  snout 
1.25  to  1.5  in  head;  longest  dorsal  spine  shorter  than  snout; 
dorsal  rays  IX,  25  to  27;  anal  rays  III,  24  to  26;  caudal  spine 
rather  large,  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  eye  in  adult 
(160  mm.)  ;  color  deep  bluish  black;  base  of  caudal  not  paler 
than  rest  of  body.  cceruleus,  p.  782. 

aa.  Body  more  elongate,  at  least  when  specimens  of  like  size  are 
compared;  color  lighter,  brownish;  base  of  caudal  paler  than 
rest  of  body,  this  condition  most  evident  in  young. 

b.  Longest  dorsal  spine  equal  to  length  of  snout;  anal  rays  III, 
24  to  27;  snout  1.5  to  2  in  head;  caudal  spine  very  small,  not 
more  than  half  the  length  of  eye  in  adult  (160  mm.). 

crest onis,  p.  782. 

bb.  Longest  dorsal  spine  somewhat  shorter  than  snout;  anal  rays 
III,  21  to  23;  caudal  spine  large,  exceeding  half  the  length  of 
eye  in  adult  (160  mm.) 

c.  Caudal  fin  deeply  concave,  the  upper  lobe  notably  produced  in 
adult;  color  uniform,  without  vertical  bars  in  young;  concave 
portion  of  caudal  fin  with  a  broad  white  margin. 

bahianus,  p.  783. 

cc.  Caudal  fin  only  moderately  concave,  the  upper  lobe  not  produced 
and  not  much  longer  than  the  lower ;  young  with  narrow  vertical 


782     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

bars;  concave  portion  of  caudal  fin  with  a  very  narrow  white 
margin  or  none.  hepatus,  p.  784. 

562.  Acanthurus  coeruleus  Bloch  &  Schneider. 

Acanthurus  coeruleus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  214  (Caro- 
lina; Havana;  Jamaica). 
Acanthurus  broussonetii  Desmarest,  Mem.  Soc.  Linn.  Paris,  II,  1823, 

26  (Cuba). 

Acanthurus  brevis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  207  (Antilles;  Havana). 
Acronurus  coeruleatus  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  69  (Cuba;  young). 
Teuthis  coeruleus  Meek  &  Hoffman,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1884, 

228;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1691. 
Hepatus  coeruleus  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  (Colon). 

Head  3.2  to  3.5;  depth  1.55  to  1.75;  D.  IX,  25  to  27;  A.  Ill,  24 
to  26;  scales  about  160. 

Body  deep,  compressed;  anterior  profile  steep,  straight  or  concave 
over  snout;  head  short,  deep;  snout  moderately  in  advance  of  forehead, 
its  length  1.2  to  1.5  in  head;  eye  3  to  4.5;  mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth 
broad,  with  large  serrae;  scales  very  small,  ctenoid;  caudal  spine 
variable  in  length,  longer  than  eye  in  some  specimens  and  notably 
shorter  in  others  of  like  size;  lateral  line  complete,  curved  with  the 
back ;  dorsal  fin  long,  the  spines  graduated,  the  longest  somewhat  shorter 
than  snout;  caudal  fin  deeply  concave,  both  lobes  produced,  the  upper 
only  slightly  longer  than  the  lower;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  part  of  the 
dorsal,  the  spines  strong,  the  first  more  or  less  embedded,  the  third 
somewhat  shorter  than  the  longest  dorsal  spine;  ventral  fins  reaching 
past  origin  of  anal  to  base  of  first  soft  ray;  pectoral  fins  moderate, 
equal  to  length  of  head. 

Color  deep  bluish  black,  brownish  on  chest  and  abdomen;  faint  pale 
longitudinal  lines  noticeable  on  a  few  specimens ;  all  the  fins  except 
pectorals  bluish  black;  dorsal  and  anal  with  a  narrow  blue  margin; 
caudal  with  a  very  narrow  white  margin;  pectorals  dusky  at  base,  the 
distal  parts  yellowish ;  caudal  spine  orange. 

We  have  over  50  specimens,  ranging  from  35  to  285  mm.  in  length. 
It  is  a  food  fish  of  some  importance,  living  mostly  on  rocky  bottom. 

Known  from  Florida  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  were  taken  at 
Toro  Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

563.  Acanthurus  crestonis  (Jordan  &  Starks). 

Teuthis  crestonis  Jordan  &  Starks,  in  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd 
Ser.,  V,  1895,  485,  PI.  XLVII  (Mazatlan)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann, 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       783 

Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1692,  PL  CCLVI,  fig.  628; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  151    (Panama 

Bay)  ;  Evermann  &  Goldsborough,  Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Wash.,  XXII, 

1909,  103  (Taboga  Island). 

Head  2.7  to  3.7;  depth  1.65  to  2.2;  D.  IX,  24  to  27;  A.  Ill,  23  to 
26;  scales  about  150. 

Body  deep,  compressed;  anterior  profile  steep,  convex;  head  short, 
deep;  snout  not  greatly  in  advance  of  forehead,  its  length  1.5  to  2  in 
head ;  eye  small,  2.75  to  4 ;  mouth  small,  terminal ;  teeth  broad,  cutting 
edges  and  sides  with  prominent  serrae;  scales  small,  ctenoid;  caudal 
spine  small,  half  the  eye  in  adult,  proportionately  shorter  in  young; 
lateral  line  curved  like  the  back;  dorsal  fin  long,  the  spines  pungent, 
graduated,  the  longest  equal  to  length  of  snout;  caudal  fin  rather 
strongly  concave,  the  upper  lobe  the  longer,  exceeding  the  length 
of  head  in  adult;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  dorsal,  the  spines  strong, 
the  first  one  very  .short,  embedded  in  the  skin ;  ventral  fins  shorter 
than  the  pectorals,  the  outer  rays  somewhat  produced;  pectoral  fins 
moderate,  equal  to  length  of  head. 

Color  in  spirits  dark  brown,  more  or  less  blotched;  base  of  caudal 
paler;  dorsal,  anal  and  ventrals  very  dark;  caudal  somewhat  lighter, 
with  a  very  narrow  pale  margin  or  none ;  distal  three-fourths  of  pectorals 
pale  (yellow  in  life). 

This  species  is  represented  by  40  specimens,  ranging  from  40  to 
155  mm.  in  length.  It  is  very  common  in  the  rocky  tide  pools  about 
Panama  City.  A.  crest onis  is  very  closely  related  to  A.  matoides 
recorded  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands  and  other  points  of  the  Western 
Pacific,  from  which  it,  however,  seems  to  differ  in  the  somewhat  smaller 
caudal  spine  and  in  color.  In  3  specimens  of  A.  matoides  from  Honolulu 
pale  longitudinal  streaks  appear  on  the  upper  part  of  sides,  a  condition 
which  is  not  evident  in  our  large  series.  It  is  used  as  food  to  a  limited 
extent. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  were  taken  in 
tide  pools  at  Naos  Islands,  Balboa  and  Panama  and  in  the  Panama 
City  market. 

564.  Acanthurus  bahianus  Castelnau. 

Acanthurus  bahianus  Castelnau,  Anim.  Nouv.  Rares  Amer.  Sud,  1855, 

24,  PI.  XI,  fig.  i  (Bahia). 

Acanthurus  tractus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1860,  208  (Cuba). 
Acromirus  nigriculus  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1875,  69  (Cuba;  larval  form). 


784    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Acanthurus  matoides  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882, 

626  (not  of  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Teuthis  tractus  Meek  &  Hoffman,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1884,  229. 
Teuthis  bahianus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1693,  PL  CCLVI,  fig.  629;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925, 

156  (Caledonia  Bay), 
Hepatus  bahianus  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  and 

I9J7»  135  (Colon). 

Head  3.2  to  3.6;  depth  1.8  to  2.1 ;  D.  IX,  24  to  26;  A.  Ill,  21  to  23; 
scales  about  150. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  anterior  profile  moderately  steep,  con- 
vex ;  head  short  and  deep ;  snout  well  in  advance  of  forehead,  its  length 
1.3  to  1.75  in  head;  eye  2.9  to  3.7;  mouth  small,  the  lower  jaw  slightly 
included;  teeth  broad,  the  entire  margin  with  prominent  serrae;  scales 
small,  ctenoid ;  caudal  spine  moderate,  about  three-fourths  length  of  eye ; 
lateral  line  curved  with  the  back;  dorsal  fin  long,  the  spines  graduated, 
the  longest  slightly  shorter  than  snout;  caudal  fin  deeply  concave,  the 
upper  lobe  notably  produced  in  adult  but  scarcely  filamentous  as 
described  in  current  works;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  portion  of  dorsal, 
the  first  spine  very  small,  embedded,  the  other  two  very  strong,  the  third 
one  somewhat  shorter  than  the  longest  dorsal  spine;  ventral  fins  mod- 
erate, reaching  past  origin  of  anal;  pectoral  fins  rather  long,  equal  to 
or  slightly  shorter  than  head. 

Color  uniform  dark  brown ;  the  young  with  a  somewhat  lighter  area 
at  base  of  caudal ;  dorsal,  anal  and  ventrals  very  dark ;  caudal  somewhat 
lighter,  with  a  white  margin,  broadest  and  most  conspicuous  on  the 
shortest  rays;  pectoral  fins  yellowish  in  life. 

This  species  is  the  rarest  of  the  three  which  were  taken  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  We  have  30  specimens  ranging  from  45  to 
215  mm.  in  length.  The  young  are  separated  from  the  young  of  A. 
cceruleus  with  difficulty.  It  inhabits  rocky  shores. 

Known  from  North  Carolina  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Toro  Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

565.  Acanthurus  hepatus  (Linnseus). 

Teuthis  hepatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  1766,  507  (Carolina)  ; 
Meek  &  Hoffman,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1884,  229;  Jordan  & 
Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1691. 

Chatodon  chirurgus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  III,  1787,  99,  PI. 
CCVIII  (Martinique;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       785 

Acanthurus  hepatus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,   1801,  211    (in 

part). 
Acanthurus  chirurgus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.   Nat.   Poiss,  X, 

1835,  168. 
Acanthurus  phlebotomus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss,  X, 

1835,  176  (Martinique,  Brazil,  Havana,  New  York). 
Acronurus  fuscus  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,   1854,   191    (same  type  as  T. 

hepatus  Linnaeus) . 

Acronurus  carneus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  350  (Cuba). 
Acanthurus  nigricans  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882  (1883),  941  (not  Chcetodon  nigricans  Linnaeus). 
Hepatus  hepatus  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,   1916,  405  and 

I9I7.  135  (Colon). 

Head  2.8  to  3.6;  depth  1.75  to  2.1 ;  D.  IX,  23  to  25;  A.  Ill,  22  or 
23 ;  scales  about  140. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  the  anterior  profile  rather 
steep,  gently  convex;  head  short,  deep;  the  snout  well  in  advance  of 
forehead,  its  length  1.4  to  1.75  in  head;  eye  2.5  to  4;  mouth  small,  the 
lower  jaw  included;  teeth  broad,  the  entire  margin  strongly  serrate; 
scales  small,  ctenoid;  caudal  spine  rather  large,  equal  to  diameter  of 
eye  in  adult  (220  mm.),  proportionately  shorter  in  young;  lateral  line 
curved  with  the  back ;  dorsal  fin  long,  the  spines  graduated,  the  longest 
one  a  little  shorter  than  the  snout ;  caudal  fin  only  moderately  concave, 
the  upper  lobe  not  much  longer  than  the  lower ;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft 
part  of  dorsal,  the  spines  strong,  the  first  short  but  scarcely  embedded, 
the  third  only  slightly  shorter  than  the  longest  dorsal  spine ;  ventral  fins 
reaching  well  beyond  origin  of  anal,  nearly  to  base  of  first  soft  ray; 
pectoral  fins  moderate,  equal  to  length  of  head. 

Color  in  adult  uniform  brownish;  young  often  with  narrow  dark 
cross-bars,  and  the  base  of  caudal  yellowish  green ;  a  bluish  black  blotch 
surrounding  caudal  spine ;  dorsal,  anal  and  ventrals  bluish  black ;  caudal 
somewhat  lighter,  with  a  very  narrow  yellowish  margin ;  pectoral  yellow, 
except  at  base  which  is  dusky. 

This  species,  although  its  size  is  rather  small,  is  frequently  seen  in 
the  market.  We  have  at  hand  over  100  specimens,  ranging  from  35  to 
220  mm.  in  length,  taken  mainly  on  rocky  bottom.  Our  220  mm.  speci- 
men is  one  of  the  largest  seen. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Brazil.  The  species  is  also 
recorded  from  Ashantee,  West  Africa.  Our  specimens  are  from  Toro 
Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 


786     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

203.  Genus  Xesurus  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Xesurus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comrn.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  421  (type  Prionurus  punctatus  Gill). 

This  genus  has  the  caudal  peduncle  armed  with  3  immovable  bony 
shields,  placed  in  a  straight  line;  teeth  each  5-lobed.  A  single  species 
of  this  genus  is  known  from  Panama.  The  species  is  based  on  2  large 
specimens  obtained  at  Panama  City  by  Prof.  C.  H.  Gilbert  and  assistants 
in  1896.  It  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  original  description  follows : 

566.  Xesurus  hopkinsi  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Xesurus  hopkinsi  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904, 

155,  PL  XXV,  fig.  48  (Panama  Bay). 

"The  outlines  of  the  body  are  evenly  curved.  The  snout  projects 
but  slightly  as  compared  with  the  other  species,  and  the  upper  anterior 
outline  is  shallowly  concave.  From  before  eye  to  dorsal,  the  profile  is 
regularly  rounded  and  without  a  projection  at  nape. 

"Dorsal  VIII,  26  or  27;  anal  III,  23.  The  head  is  smaller  than  in 
the  other  species,  26  or  27  hundredths  of  the  length.  In  seven  specimens 
of  X.  punctatus,  the  head  averages  31  1/7  hundredths  of  the  length; 
in  three  specimens  of  laticlavius,  31^3  hundredths;  in  clarionis,  30 
hundredths.  The  mouth  is  smaller;  the  maxillary  forms  but  6%  hun- 
dredths of  the  length  (in  punctatus,  7  5/7  hundredths ;  in  latidavius ; 
8^5  hundredths ;  in  clarionis,  8  hundredths) .  The  teeth  are  much  smaller, 
though  they  number  the  same  as  in  the  other  species,  8  or  9  on  each 
side  of  the  upper  jaw.  The  eye  is  smaller,  4  or  4^2  in  the  snout,  5 
hundredths  of  the  length  (in  punctatus  6  5/7  hundredths ;  in  latidavius, 
js/b  hundredths;  in  clarionis,  6^2  hundredths). 

"The  pectoral  is  broad  and  rounded  at  its  tip,  reaching  to  above  the 
base  of  the  second  anal  spine,  when  forced  into  a  horizontal  position.  It 
seems  to  incline  obliquely  upward  in  its  normal  position.  The  ventrals 
nearly  reach  the  first  anal  spine,  and  are  about  two-thirds  the  length  of 
the  pectorals.  The  dorsal  and  anal  are  as  in  related  species.  In  the 
larger  specimen,  the  first  dorsal  spine  has  become  almost  entirely  con- 
cealed beneath  the  skin,  the  first  anal  spine  wholly  concealed. 

"The  posterior  part  of  the  body  is  rather  thickly  covered  with  sharp 
spines,  the  bases  of  which  are  expanded  as  rough  plates.  The  spines 
are  somewhat  inclined  forward  and  are  occasionally  bifid  (some  speci- 
mens of  other  species  have  scattered  rough  plates  which  sometimes  bear 
low  sharp  keels,  but  never  high  spines).  The  three  bony  shields  on 
the  caudal  peduncle  bear  thick  blunt  spines,  their  points  broad  and 
smooth,  as  though  worn. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       787 

"Color  light  slaty  on  lower  parts,  dark  above.  One  specimen  is 
faintly  spotted  with  black  on  nape  and  opercles." 

This  species  is  known  only  from  2  large  specimens  taken  at  Panama 
City,  respectively  410  and  430  mm.  in  length,  upon  which  the  above 
description  by  Gilbert  &  Starks  is  based. 

Family  LXVL    Balistidae. 

THE  TRIGGER-FISHES. 

Body  usually  more  or  less  ovate,  considerably  compressed;  snout 
long ;  eye  small,  placed  high ;  mouth  small,  usually  terminal ;  jaws  short 
but  strong ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series,  more  or  less  incisor-like ; 
gill-openings  mere  slits ;  preopercular  bones  externally  not  evident ;  body 
covered  with  modified  scales,  more  or  less  plate-like  in  structure  and 
bearing  spines  or  bony  tubercles ;  skin  leathery ;  dorsal  fins  2,  the  first 
spine  highest,  very  strong;  ventral  fins  replaced  by  a  single  stout  spine 
attached  to  the  enlarged  pubic  bone.  Only  2  genera  are  represented  in 
the  waters  of  Panama. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.       Several  enlarged  bony  plates  behind  gill-slit.        Balistes,  p.  787. 
aa.     Gill-slit  surrounded  by  ordinary  scales,  not  as  above. 

Canthidermis,  p.  793. 

204.  Genus  Balistes  Linnaeus. 

Balistes  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  327  (type  Balistes  vetula 

Linnaeus). 
Capriscus  Klein,  Neuer  Schauplatz,  etc.,  V,  1777,  427  (type  Balistes 

capriscus  Gmelin). 
Pachynathus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  326  (type 

Pachynathus  triangularis  Swainson;  name  preoccupied). 
Chalisoma  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  325   (type 

Balistes  pulcherrimus  'Lesson=Balistes  vetula  Linnaeus). 
Sufflamen  Jordan,  Copeia,  Apr.  12,  1916,  27  (type  Balistes  capistratus 

Shaw;  substitute  for  Pachynathus,  preoccupied). 

Body  usually  deep,  compressed ;  snout  long ;  eye  small,  placed  high ; 
mouth  small,  usually  terminal ;  gill-opening  an  oblique  slit,  with  enlarged 
bony  scutes  behind  it;  teeth  in  the  jaws  irregular,  usually  notched  and 
the  anterior  cusp  enlarged ;  lateral  line  more  or  less  developed,  undulat- 
ing, often  obsolete  in  adult ;  scales  plate-like,  rough,  usually  bearing 
spinules;  first  dorsal  with  3  spines,  the  anterior  one  much  enlarged, 
which  sets  stiff  and  erect  when  the  second  spine  is  erect,  but  which  may 


788     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

be  laid  back,  if  the  second  is  deflexed,  hence  the  name  "trigger  fishes" ; 
second  dorsal  and  anal  long,  usually  similar;  the  ventral  fins  repre- 
sented by  a  spine,  attached  to  the  abdomen  by  a  spinous  flap.  Four 
species  of  this  genus  occur  in  the  Panama  collection,  but  several  others 
will  doubtless  be  taken  there  in  time. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Cheeks  with  several  short,  horizontal  rows  of  enlarged  scales; 
D.  111-30  to  33 ;  A.  27  to  29 ;  scales  60  to  64.        verres,  p.  788. 

aa.     Cheeks  with  oblique  rows  of  scales  which  are  not  enlarged; 
second  dorsal  usually  with  fewer  than  30  rays. 

b.  Scales  small,  65  to  76  in  lateral  series ;  D.  111-26  to  28 ;  A.  24 
to  26.  polylepis,  p.  790. 

bb.     Scales  larger,  fewer  than  65  in  a  lateral  series. 

c.  A  naked  area  about  the  mouth,  small  in  young  but  large  in 
adult ;  scales  below  pectoral  fins  not  enlarged ;  preorbital  groove 
poorly  developed ;  D.  111-25  to  27 ;  A.  23  to  25 ;  scales  57  to  60. 

naufragium,  p.  790. 

cc.     Naked  area  about  mouth  wanting,  the  snout  closely   scaled; 
preorbital  groove  well  developed. 

d.  Head  without  prominent  bands  or  stripes ;  sides  and  fins  without 
conspicuous  roundish  blue  black  spots ;  scales  below  pectoral  fins 
more  or  less  enlarged;  outer  caudal  rays  not  greatly  produced, 
never  filamentous ;  D.  111-27  to  29 ;  A.  23  to  26 ;  scales  54  to  62. 

carolinensis,  p.  791. 
dd.  Head  with  prominent  dark  bars  and  stripes;  the  outer  caudal 

rays  much  produced  in  adult,  filamentous ;  D.  1 1 1-29  or  30 ;  A. 

26  to  28;  scales  60  to  62  vetula  p.  792. 

ddd.  Body  and  dorsal  and  anal  fins  covered  with  roundish  blue  black 

spots.  forcipatus,  p.  793. 

567.  Balistes  verres  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Pachynathus  capistratus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1704  (in  part)  ;  Jordan  &  McGregor,  Rept.  U.  S. 

Fish   Comm.,   XXIV,    1898    (1899),   280    (Clarion   and    Socorro 

islands;  not  of  Shaw). 
Balistes  verres  Gilbert  &  Starks,,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  153, 

PI.  XXVI,  fig.  49  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Snodgrass  &  Heller,  Proc.  Wash. 

Ac.  Sci.,  VI,  1904  (1905),  406  (Galapagos  Islands). 
Balistes  capistratus  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  163  (Acapulco;  Perico  and  Taboguilla  islands). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       789 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-opening  2.7  to  2.9;  depth  1.7  to  2;  D. 
III-3O  to  33 ;  A.  27  to  29 ;  scales  60  to  64. 

Body  deep,  compressed ;  profile  straight  or  slightly  concave  in 
advance  of  eyes;  snout  long,  1.2  to  1.4  in  head;  eye  4.8  to  6.15;  pre- 
orbital  groove  present;  mouth  small,  terminal;  gill-opening  about  2 
times  length  of  eye  in  adult  (265  mm.),  equal  to  length  of  eye  in  young; 
teeth  in  jaws  moderate,  notched,  with  sharp,  oblique  margins;  body 
closely  scaled,  no  naked  area  about  the  mouth,  6  longitudinal  series  of 
scales  on  cheeks,  scales  on  sides  and  posterior  part  of  the  body  each  with 
a  small  antrorse  spine;  an  irregular  row  of  pores  extending  from  eye 
backward  nearly  to  soft  dorsal;  ventral  spine  broad,  movable,  provided 
with  spinules  at  apex;  first  dorsal  with  3  spines,  the  first  one  strong, 
with  upward  projecting  barbs  on  anterior  margin,  its  length  1.75  to  1.8 
in  head ;  second  dorsal  and  anal  similar  in  young ;  the  former  slightly 
elevated  in  adult,  the  lobes  not  produced,  with  nearly  straight  margin  in 
young;  pectoral  fins  short,  3.1  to  3.2  in  head. 

Color  of  preserved  specimens,  dark  above,  yellowish  below;  a 
scarcely  discernable  pale  streak  from  angle  of  mouth  backward  across 
the  cheek  present  in  one  of  our  specimens,  wholly  wanting  in  others. 
This  streak  is  very  evident  on  some  specimens  from  the  west  coast  of 
America,  which  we  have  examined  in  the  National  Museum.  Dorsal, 
anal  and  pectorals  plain  or  dusky ;  caudal  fin  very  dark. 

This  species  is  represented  by  8  specimens,  ranging  from  145  to 
165  mm.  in  length.  We  have  for  comparison  several  specimens  from 
the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  from  Acapulco,  and  the  Galapagos  Islands. 
We  have  also  examined  specimens  from  Panama  Bay  identified  as  B. 
capistratus  by  Kendall  &  Radcliffe.  We  find  that  all  the  specimens 
taken  on  or  off  the  American  coast  can  be  readily  distinguished  from 
the  Hawaiian  specimens  by  the  smaller  scales,  there  being  from  60  to  64 
in  a  lateral  series  in  the  former,  while  in  the  latter  there  are  only  49 
to  54.  In  the  adult  of  the  American  specimens  the  dorsal  fin  is  ante- 
riorly somewhat  elevated,  which  is  not  true  of  the  Hawaiian  repre- 
sentatives. In  comparing  specimens  of  like  size,  it  will  also  be  seen 
that  the  margin  of  the  caudal  fin  in  the  American  specimens  is  more 
deeply  concave.  It  is,  therefore,  quite  certain  that  all  records  of  B. 
capistratus  based  on  American  specimens  should  be  referred  to  B. 
verres. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  south  to  Panama  Bay  and  the  Galapagos 
Islands.  Our  specimens  are  from  the  rocky  shores  of  small  islands 
near  the  Pacific  entrance  of  the  Panama  Canal. 


79°    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

568.  Batistes  polylepis  Steindachner. 

Batistes  polylepis  Steindachner,   (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,  LXXIV) 

Ichth.  Beitr.,  V,  1876,  21   (Magdalena  Bay,  Mazatlan;  Acapulco)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1700; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  152   (Panama 

Bay). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.7  to  2.95;  depth  1.6  to  1.9;  D. 
111-26  to  28;  A.  24  to  26;  scales  65  to  76,  difficult  to  enumerate  in 
small  specimens. 

Body  deep,  proportionately  deeper  in  young  than  in  adult ;  anterior 
profile  straight  or  slightly  concave  over  snout;  the  interorbital  region 
somewhat  swollen;  snout  long,  1.25  to  1.6  in  head;  eye  2.9  to  5.6;  pre- 
orbital  groove  strongly  developed;  mouth  small,  terminal;  gill-opening 
1.75  times  the  length  of  the  eye  in  specimens  430  mm.  in  length,  equal 
to  diameter  of  eye  in  specimens  70  mm.  in  length ;  teeth  strong,  notched, 
the  anterior  cusp  very  large ;  body  closely  scaled ;  no  naked  area  about 
the  mouth;  a  patch  of  short  spines  behind  angle  of  mouth;  the  young 
rougher  than  the  adult ;  young  with  a  row  of  pores  beginning  at  angle  of 
mouth  extending  to  under  posterior  part  of  eye  there  meeting  a  branch 
having  its  origin  on  the  chin,  from  thence  continued  as  a  single  row  run- 
ning upward  back  of  the  eye  there  meeting  two  other  branches,  one  from 
the  upper  lip  backward  over  eye,  and  the  other  crossing  nape  just  in 
front  of  dorsal  spine,  the  row  then  continued  nearly  to  origin  of  second 
dorsal  then  curving  abruptly  downward  and  backward  to  below  median 
line  of  body,  then  again  curving  upward  to  median  line  of  caudal 
peduncle ;  these  lines  obsolete  in  adult  (430  mm.  in  length)  ;  ventral 
spine  strong,  provided  with  spinules;  first  dorsal  with  three  spines,  its 
origin  just  behind  eye,  the  first  spine  strong,  only  moderately  rough  on 
anterior  margin,  1.25  to  1.95  in  head;  dorsal  and  anal  similar,  anteriorly 
elevated  in  adult ;  caudal  fin  rounded  in  young,  deeply  concave  with  the 
outer  rays  much  produced  in  adult;  pectoral  fins  short,  2.3  to  2.65  in 
head. 

Color  in  alcohol  dusky  or  brownish;  very  young,  of  40  mm.  and 
less  in  length,  with  dark  spots  on  sides;  fins  unmarked,  usually  light 
brown  in  adult,  pale  in  young. 

This  species  is  represented  by  73  specimens  ranging  from  20  to  430 
mm.  in  length.  It  is  used  as  food  only  to  a  very  limited  extent. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Peru.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Chame  Point,  Taboga  Island,  Balboa  and  the  Panama  City  market. 

569.  Balistes  naufragium  Jordan  &  Starks. 

Balistes  naufragium  Jordan  &  Starks,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V, 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       791 

1895,  488  (Mazatlan)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  1700;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 
1904,  152  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Starks,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1906,  798 
(Guayaquil,  Ecuador)  ;  Evermann  &  Goldsborough,  Proc.  Biol.  Soc. 
Wash.,  XXII,  1909,  103  (Taboga  Island)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe, 
Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  163  (Perico  Island, 
Panama  Bay). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.55  to  3 ;  depth  1.7  to  1.9;  D.  111-25 
to  27 ;  A.  23  to  25 ;  scales  57  to  60. 

Body  deep,  moderately  compressed;  anterior  profile  nearly  straight 
over  snout,  convex  over  eyes,  very  large  specimens  (550  mm.)  with 
nuchal  hump ;  snout  long,  1.2  to  1.3  in  head ;  eye  4.45  to  6.75 ;  preorbital 
groove  poorly  developed;  mouth  terminal;, the  lips  thickened  in  adult; 
gill-slit  2  times  length  of  diameter  of  the  eye  in  adult  (550  mm.),  pro- 
portionately much  shorter  in  young;  teeth  very  strong,  notched,  the 
anterior  cusp  much  enlarged;  body  with  rather  large  scales;  a  naked 
area  about  the  mouth  which  increases  in  size  with  age;  lateral  line  in 
young  as  in  B.  polylepis,  obsolete  in  adult  (550  mm.)  ;  ventral  spine  very 
strong,  rough;  origin  of  the  first  dorsal  just  behind  vertical  from  pos- 
terior margin  of  eye,  the  first  spine  very  strong,  with  prominent  tubercles, 
its  length  1.5  to  2.1  in  head;  second  dorsal  and  anal  dissimilar,  the 
former  anteriorly  more  elevated  than  the  latter;  caudal  fin  in  small 
specimens  (195  mm.)  double  concave,  with  the  lower  rays  shorter  than 
the  middle  rays,  the  outer  rays  more  strongly  produced,  the  lower  ones 
longer  than  the  middle  rays  in  adult;  pectoral  fins  short,  2.15  to  2.5  in 
head. 

Color  in  alcohol  very  dark  brown,  the  fins  only  slightly  paler  than 
the  body. 

This  species  is  represented  in  the  present  collection  by  12  specimens, 
ranging  from  195  to  550  mm.  in  length.  It  is  used  as  food  to  a  very 
limited  extent. 

Known  from  Mazatlan,  Mexico,  south  to  Guayaquil,  Ecuador.  Our 
specimens  are  from  Naos  Island,  Balboa  and  the  Panama  City  market. 

570.  Balistes  carolinensis  Gmelin. 

Batistes  carolinensis  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  Part  III,  1789,  1468  (Caro- 
lina) ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 
1701,  PL  CCLVIII,  fig.  632. 

Balistes  capriscus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  Part  III,  1788,  1471  (Indian 
and  American  oceans). 


792     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Batistes  caprinus  Valenciennes,  in  Webb  &  Berthelot,  Hist.  Nat.    lies 

Canaries,  II,  Pt.  II,  1844,  94,  PI.  XVI  (Canaries). 
Batistes  fuliginosus  De  Kay,  Fauna  N.  Y.,  Fishes,  1842,  339,  PI.  LVII, 

fig.  1 88  (New  York). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.8  to  3.1;  depth  1.7  to  2.25;  D. 
111-27  to  29;  A.  23  to  26;  scales  54  to  62. 

This  species  was  not  seen  at  Panama.  It  is  rather  closely  related 
to  B.  polylepis,  from  which  it  differs  in  having  larger  and  rougher 
scales.  In  comparing  specimens  of  like  size,  it  will  also  be  seen  that  the 
anal  fin  in  the  present  species  is  less  strongly  elevated. 

From  B.  naufragium  it  may  readily  be  distinguished  by  the  enlarged 
scales  below  and  behind  the  pectorals  and  by  having  the  snout  com- 
pletely scaled,  while  in  B.  naufragium  there  is  a  larger  naked  area  about 
the  mouth. 

A  widely  distributed  species,  known  from  both  shores  of  the  warmer 
waters  of  the  Atlantic ;  also  recorded  from  the  Indian  Ocean. 

571.  Balistes  vetula  Linnaeus. 

Batistes  vetula  Linnaeus,   Syst.   Nat.,   Ed.   X,    1758,   329    (Ascension 

Islands ;  after  B.  vetula  of  Osbeck)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1703;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr. 

Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,  1913,  63  (Natal,  Brazil)  ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac. 

Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama). 

Balistes  bellus  Walbaum,  Artedi  Piscium,  III,  1792,  467  (West  Indies). 
Chalisoma  velata  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  325. 
Balistes  equestris  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  31  (American  Seas). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.6  to  2.75;  depth  1.7  to  2;  D. 
111-29  or  30 ;  A.  26  to  28 ;  scales  60  to  62. 

Body  deep,  compressed;  anterior  profile  nearly  straight  over  snout, 
convex  over  eyes;  snout  long,  1.35  to  1.45  in  head;  eye  3.5  to  4.7; 
preorbital  groove  present ;  mouth  terminal ;  the  lips  not  thickened ;  gill- 
slit  equal  to  diameter  of  eye  in  adult  (250  mm.),  shorter  than  eye  in 
young;  teeth  moderate;  scales  of  moderate  size,  no  naked  area  about 
mouth;  lateral  line  in  young  as  in  B.  polylepis,  obsolete  in  adult  (250 
mm.)  ;  ventral  spine  broad,  with  many  spinules ;  origin  of  first  dorsal 
just  behind  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  the  first  spine  1.7 
to  1.95  in  head;  second  dorsal  and  anal  more  or  less  dissimilar,  the 
former  being  more  strongly  elevated  anteriorly  than  the  latter;  caudal 
fin  deeply  concave,  the  outer  rays  notably  produced,  even  in  small 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       793 

specimens  (no  mm.),  filamentous  in  adult  (250  mm.);  pectoral  fins 
short,  2.3  to  2.7  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish ;  sides  of  head  below  eye  with  two  heavy 
dark  bands,  the  lower  extending  from  upper  lip  to  the  throat,  the  upper 
from  above  the  snout  to  below  base  of  pectoral;  a  narrow  dark  line 
curved  like  the  bands  extending  from  above  snout  to  above  base  of  pec- 
toral ;  several  similar  lines  radiating  from  eye ;  fins  unmarked  in  spirits. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us  at  Panama,  but  it  is  recorded  from 
there  by  Fowler  (I.e.)  and  more  recently  from  Caledonia  Bay  by  Breder 
(Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  156).  It  is  here  described  from  speci- 
mens, ranging  in  length  from  no  to  250  mm.,  from  Cuba,  Jamaica 
and  Bahia,  Brazil. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Brazil;  also  recorded  from 
the  Azores  and  Ascension  Island. 

572.  Batistes  forcipatus  Gmelin. 

Batistes  forcipatus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  Pt.  Ill,  1789,  1472  (Brazil)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1702. 
Balistes  punctatus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  Pt.  Ill,  1789,  1472. 
Batistes  spilotopterygius   Walbaum,   Artedi    Piscium,    III,    1792,   455 

(Brazil). 

Balistes  guttatus  Walbaum,  Artedi  Piscium,  III,  1792,  467  (St.  Vin- 
cent) . 

Balistes  ciliaris  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  471  (Brazil). 
Balistes  liberiensis   Steindachner,    (Sitzb.   k.  Ak.   Wiss.   Wien,   LV) 

Ichth.  Notizen,  IV,  1867,  9  (Monrovia). 
Balistes  powellii  Cope,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1870,  120  (Newport, 

R.  I.;  young). 
Balistes  moribundus  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV,  1871, 

479  (St.  Martins;  young). 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  It  apparently  differs  from  B. 
carolinensis  only  in  coloration,  having  the  body  and  the  dorsal  and  anal 
fins  covered  with  roundish  blue  black  spots. 

Known  from  both  coasts  of  the  tropical  Atlantic.  The  species  is 
included  because  it  is  recorded  from  localities  both  north  and  south  of 
Panama,  thus  coming  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

205.  Genus  Canthidermis  Swainson. 

Canthidermis  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  325  (type 
Balistes  angulosus  Quoy  &  Gaimard). 


794    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  somewhat  elongate ;  head  completely  scaled ;  a  preorbital 
groove  present;  gill-opening  surrounded  by  ordinary  scales,  there  being 
no  enlarged  bony  scutes  behind  it  as  in  Batistes;  dorsal  spines  3. 
A  single  species,  which  is  from  the  Pacific  coast,  occurs  in  the  Panama 
collection.  We  have  included  in  our  discussion  C.  maculatus  from  the 
Atlantic  Ocean,  which  probably  comes  within  the  scope  of  the  present 
work,  but  the  relationship  of  which  we  do  not  understand  and,  there- 
fore, no  attempt  is  being  made  to  give  a  key  to  the  species. 

573.  Canthidermis  rotundatus  (Marion  de  Proce). 

Batistes  rotundatus  Marion  de  Proce,  Bull.  Soc.  Philo.  Paris,  1822,  130 

(Manila). 

Batistes  azureus  Lesson,  Voy.  Coquille,  Zool.,  II,  1831,  121,  PI.  X,  fig.  2. 
Batistes  angulosus  Quoy  &   Gaimard,  in  Freycinet,   Voy.  Uranie  et 

Physicienne,  Zool.,  1824,  210  (Hawaiian  Islands). 
Batistes  ocutatus  Gray,  Illus.  Ind.  Zool.,  I,  1832,  PL  XC,  fig.  I  (India). 
Batistes  senticosus  Richardson,  in  Adams,  Zool.  Voy.  Samarang,  Fish., 

1848,  23,  PI.  IX,  figs.  5-8  (China  Sea). 
Batistes  maculatus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,   1870,  213 

(Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Pinang,  Borneo,  Sandalwood  Island,  China, 

Japan;  in  part,  not  of  Bloch). 
Canthidermis  rotundatus  Jordan  &  Fowler,  Proc.  U.  S.   Nat.  Mus., 

1903,  260. 
Canthidermis  angulosus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm., 

XXIII,  Pt.  I,   1903   (1905),  415;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir. 

Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  164  (Lat.  7°,  15'  N.;  Long.  82°, 

8'  W.  &  Lat.  17°,  20'  N.;  Long.  101°,  32'  W.). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.35  to  2.75;  depth  1.5  to  1.95;  D. 
III-2O  to  24;  A.  20  to  22;  scales  41  to  46. 

Body  deep,  moderately  compressed;  profile  slightly  concave  over 
snout,  convex  at  nape ;  snout  moderate,  1.75  to  2  in  head ;  eye  2.8  to  3.7 ; 
preorbital  groove  present;  interorbital  region  broad,  with  prominent 
ridges  over  eyes  in  young;  mouth  small,  terminal;  gill-slit  notably 
shorter  than  the  eye;  teeth  notched,  with  rather  sharp  cutting  edges; 
scales  moderate,  rough,  posteriorly  slightly  keeled ;  no  naked  area  about 
the  mouth ;  lateral  line  present  but  indistinct ;  ventral  spine  strong,  pro- 
vided with  spinules;  origin  of  first  dorsal  over  gill-opening,  the  first 
spine  strong,  rough  on  the  anterior  margin,  1.9  to  2.4  in  head;  second 
dorsal  and  anal  of  equal  length,  the  latter  more  strongly  elevated  ante- 
riorly; caudal  fin  very  short,  rounded;  pectoral  fins  short,  2.75  to  3 
in  head. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       795 

Color  brownish  to  black;  sides  usually  with  white  spots;  fins  in 
very  small  examples  colorless;  colored  like  the  body  in  larger  speci- 
mens, but  without  white  spots. 

The  Panama  collection  contains  19  specimens,  ranging  from  17  to 
72  mm.  in  length.  Besides  these  there  are  three  other  small  specimens 
from  Panama  at  hand,  belonging  to  the  U.  S.  National  Museum,  one 
from  Taboga  Island,  taken  by  August  Busck,  and  two  specimens  taken 
by  the  Albatross  off  the  coast  of  Panama.  We  also  have  at  hand  three 
specimens  from  Japan  with  which  our  material  agrees  perfectly.  For 
this  reason  we  are  using  the  older  name,  rotundatus,  given  to  a  specimen 
from  Manila,  believing  that  the  East  Indian,  Hawaiian  and  American 
representatives  are  all  identical. 

This  species,  as  here  understood,  is  widely  distributed  throughout 
the  warm  parts  of  the  Pacific  and  Indian  oceans,  having  been  recorded 
from  the  western  Pacific,  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands  and  Panama,  and 
also  from,  Peru,  if  Balistes  adspersus  Tschudi  too  proves  to  be  identical 
with  the  present  species.  Our  specimens  were  collected  at  Chame  Point 
by  Robert  Tweedlie. 

574.  Canthidermis  maculatus  (Bloch). 

Balistes  maculatus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  II,  1786,  25,  PI.  CLI 
(West  Indies)  ;  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  213  (in 
part)  ;  Day,  Fishes  of  India,  1878,  688  (in  part). 

Balistes  americanus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  Pt.  Ill,  1789,  1473  (America). 
Balistes  macropterus  Walbaum,  Artedi  Piscium,  III,  1792,  465  (Amer- 
ica). 

? Balistes  oculatus  Gray,  Illus.  Ind.  Zool.,  I,  1832,  PI.  XC,  fig.  i  (India). 
Balistes  rufus  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  36  (American  Ocean) . 
Balistes  longus  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  37  (American  Ocean). 
Balistes  melanopterus  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV,  1871, 

478  (Darien). 

Canthidermis  maculatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  1706. 

There  are  no  specimens  of  this  species  available,  and  we  are  unable 
to  understand  the  affinities  of  the  species  from  the  scant  descrip- 
tions which  are  at  hand.  If  Bloch's  figure  is  accurate,  the  spots  on 
sides  are  much  larger  in  the  present  species  than  in  C.  rotundatus. 
Bloch's  figure  represents  the  dorsal  as  being  higher  than  the  anal,  while 
in  the  specimens  of  C.  rotundatus  which  are  at  hand  the  reverse  is  true. 
The  caudal  fin  is  represented  as  angulated,  while  in  specimens  at  hand 


796     FIELD  M^USEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

it  is  rounded.  Some  of  these  differences  may  be  due  to  age,  i.  e.,  Bloch's 
figure  may  be  based  on  a  large  specimen,  while  we  have  only  small 
specimens  of  C.  rotundatus.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  Giinther  (Cat.  Fish. 
Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  p.  213)  was  right  in  combining  this  species  with 
C.  rotundatus. 

We  follow  Jordan  &  Evermann  in  placing  in  the  synonomy  of  this 
species  Balistes  melanopterus  Cope,  type  locality  Darien.  While  Cope 
does  not  state  whether  his  specimen  was  from  the  Atlantic  or  the  Pacific 
side  of  the  Isthmus,  we  infer  that  it  was  from  the  former,  because  other 
material  upon  which  he  reported  in  the  same  paper  was  from  the 
Atlantic  side. 

This  species,  as  here  understood,  is  known  from  the  warmer  waters 
of  the  Atlantic ;  on  the  American  side  from  the  West  Indies  to  Darien, 
the  Panama  record  being  based  upon  Balistes  melanopterus  Cope. 

Family  LXVII.    Monacanthidae. 

THE  FILE-FISHES. 

Body  much  compressed,  rather  deep ;  mouth  small,  usually  terminal ; 
teeth  incisor-like,  in  2  series  in  upper  jaw;  gill-opening  a  mere  slit; 
lateral  line  absent ;  scales  rudimentary,  bearing  spines ;  first  dorsal  com- 
posed of  a  single  spine,  or  occasionally  of  a  rudimentary  spine  behind 
the  first;  second  dorsal  and  anal  similar;  caudal  fin  long  or  short, 
pointed  or  rounded ;  ventral  fins  represented  by  a  fixed  or  movable  spine 
attached  by  the  pelvic  bone  or  entirely  wanting.  Herbiverous  fishes, 
with  rough  skin.  Most  of  the  species  are  small  and  none  are  of  value 
as  food. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Pelvic  bone  with  a  terminal  spine  projecting  through  the  skin; 
gill-opening  short,  equal  to  or  shorter  than  eye  in  small  or 
medium  sized  specimens. 

b.  Dorsal  spine  situated  over  posterior  part  of  eye,  posteriorly 
armed  with  2  series  of  barbs.  Monacanthus,  p.  796. 

bb.     Dorsal  spine  situated  over  or  slightly  in  advance  of  middle  of 

eye,  without  barbs.  Cantherines,  p.  800. 

aa.     Pelvic  bone  without  a  terminal  spine ;  dorsal  spine  without  barbs. 

Alutera,  p.  801. 

206.  Genus  Monacanthus  Oken. 
Monacanthus  Oken,  Isfs,  1817,  1183  (type  Balistes  chinensis  Bloch). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       797 

Trichoderma  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  32&  (type 

Batistes  scapus  Lacepede). 
Stephanolepis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  78  (type  Mona- 

canthus  setifer  Bennett). 

Body  short,  deep,  and  much  compressed ;  snout  long ;  mouth  small ; 
teeth  broad,  with  sharp  cutting  edges,  a  double  series  in  upper  jaw; 
gill-opening  an  oblique  slit,  scarcely  as  long  as  eye;  a  strong  ventral 
spine  present,  projecting  through  the  skin  and  attached  to  the  abdomen 
by  a  flap ;  first  dorsal  composed  of  a  single  spine,  bearing  two  series  of 
barbs  posteriorly  and  situated  over  part  of  eye;  caudal  fin  not  longer 
than  head,  rounded. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Body  short  and  deep,  the  depth  at  vertical  from  vent  usually 
less  than  2  in  length  to  base  of  caudal ;  ventral  flap  never  extend- 
ing beyond  tip  of  ventral  spine;  caudal  peduncle  at  sides  with 
small  spines   like  the   rest  of  the  body,  not  with  prominent 
recurved  spines  and  bristles. 

b.  Dorsal  with  31  to  35  rays ;  anal  with  31  to  35  rays ;  color  variable 
from  plain  grass-green  to  very  dark  green  and  marbled  with 
black.  hispidus,  p.  797. 

bb.  Dorsal  with  27  to  29  rays ;  anal  with  27  to  29  rays ;  color  green 
mottled  with  black;  sides  with  elongate  black  spots  so  arranged 
as  to  form  more  or  less  distinct  longitudinal  lines. 

oppositus,  p.  798. 

aa.  Body  somewhat  more  elongate,  the  depth  at  vertical  from  vent 
usually  more  than  2  in  length  to  base  of  caudal;  ventral  flap 
usually  extending  beyond  tip  of  ventral  spine;  caudal  peduncle 
at  sides  with  the  spines  less  closely  placed,  enlarged  and  recurved 
in  the  adult.  ciliatus,  p.  799. 

575.  Monacanthus  hispidus  (Linnaeus). 

Batistes  hispidus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  1766,  405  (Carolina). 

Batistes  broccus  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  &  Philo.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I,  1815,  467 

(New  York). 
Monacanthus  filamentosus  Valenciennes,  in  Webb  &  Berthelot,  Hist. 

Nat.  lies  Canaries,  II,  Pt.  II,  1844,  95  (Canaries;  adult). 
Monacanthus  gallinula  Valenciennes,  in  Webb  &  Berthelot,  Hist.  Nat. 

lies  Canaries,  II,  Pt.  II,  1844,  95  (Canaries;  young). 
Monacanthus  varius  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst.  Bonon., 

V,  1842,  6,  PI.  II  (Brazil). 


798     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Monocanthus  (!)  massachusettensis  De  Kay,  Fauna  N.  Y.,  Fishes,  1842, 

336,  PI.  LVII,  fig.  187  (Massachusetts  Bay). 
Monocanthus  ( !)  setifer  De  Kay,  Fauna  N.  Y.,  Fishes,  1842,  337,  PI. 

LIX,  fig.  194  (New  York  Harbor;  not  of  Bennett). 
Monacanthus  signifer  Storer,  Memoir.  Amer.  Ac.,  New  Ser.,  II,  1846, 

245  (Massachusetts;  substitute  for  setifer,  preoccupied). 
Monacanthus    auriga    Lowe,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.    Lond.,     1850,    253 

(Madeira). 

Stephanolepis  setifer  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  78. 
Monacanthus  broccus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882  (1883),  856. 
Monacanthus  hispidus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1715,  PI.  CCLIX,  fig.  635;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford 

Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,  1913,  63  (Natal,  Brazil). 

This  fish  was  not  taken  at  Panama,  but  it  doubtless  occurs  there, 
as  it  is  recorded  from  localities  both  north  and  south  of  the  Isthmus. 
The  difference  between  this  species  and  M.  oppositus  is  shown  in  the 
key  to  the  species  of  this  genus. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Brazil. 

. 

576.  Monacanthus  oppositus  Poey. 

Monacanthus  oppositus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  331  (Cuba)  ;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1716. 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.7  to  3 ;  depth  at  vertical  from  vent 
1.75  to  2 ;  D.  27  to  29 ;  A.  27  to  29. 

Body  short  and  deep ;  profile  straight  or  slightly  concave  in  advance 
of  eyes;  snout  long,  1.35  to  1.65  in  head;  eye  placed  high,  2.6  to  3.6; 
mouth  small,  terminal ;  gill-opening  a  small  oblique  slit,  equal  to  or 
shorter  than  eye;  teeth  in  the  jaws  broad,  with  sharp  cutting  edges; 
body  densely  covered  with  small  clusters  of  bristles ;  a  prominent  ven- 
tral spine  present,  beyond  which  the  ventral  flap  does  not  extend ;  first 
dorsal  composed  of  a  single  spine,  placed  over  posterior  part  of  eye 
and  bearing  a  double  row  of  barbs  posteriorly,  its  length  scarcely 
exceeding  the  length  of  snout;  second  dorsal  and  anal  similar,  and  of 
equal  length ;  caudal  fin  convex ;  pectoral  fin  small,  2.25  to  2.85  in  head. 

Color  in  life  green,  mottled  with  black;  sides  with  elongate  black 
spots,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  longitudinal  lines;  dorsal  and  anal 
plain  translucent,  or  slightly  tinged  with  yellow;  middle  caudal  rays 
dark  green,  the  outer  rays  yellowish. 

This  species  is  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  Our  col- 
lection contains  over  200  specimens,  ranging  from  25  to  90  mm.  in 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       799 

length.    It  is  closely  related  to  M.  hispidus,  from  which  it  differs  in  the 
shorter  dorsal  and  anal  fins  and  in  color. 

Previously  recorded  only  from  Cuba  and  Cartagena,  Colombia.  Our 
specimens  are  all  from  Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

577.  Monacanthus  ciliatus  (Mitchill). 

Batistes  ciliatus  Mitchill,  Amer.  Monthly  Mag.,  II,  1818,  326  (Bahama 

Straits). 
Monacanthus  piraaca  Kner,  Reise  Fregatte  Novara,  Fische,  1867,  396 

(Rio  de  Janeiro). 
Monacanthus  occidentalis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870, 

237  (Puerto  Cabello). 
Monacanthus  davidsonii  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  XIV, 

1871,  476  (Florida  Reef). 

Monacanthus  ciliatus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  145 ;  Jor- 
dan &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1714,  PL 

CCLIX,  fig.  634;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ. 

Ser.,  1913,  63  (Natal,  Brazil)  ;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925, 

157  (Caledonia  Bay). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  2.9  to  3.4;  depth  at  vertical  from 
vent  1.95  to  2.6;  D.  30  to  34;  A.  30  to  33. 

Body  strongly  compressed,  of  moderate  depth;  profile  over  snout 
notably  concave;  snout  long,  1.3  to  1.5  in  head;  eye  placed  high,  3.3 
to  3.8;  mouth  slightly  superior,  the  lower  jaw  a  little  longer  than  the 
upper ;  gill-opening  a  small  oblique  slit,  shorter  than  eye ;  teeth  in  the 
jaws  broad,  with  sharp  cutting  edges;  body  covered  with  short  spines, 
these  less  numerous  at  base  of  caudal;  adult  with  recurved  spines  and 
bristles  at  base  of  caudal ;  a  prominent  ventral  spine  present ;  ventral  flap 
variously  developed,  usually  extending  beyond  the  spine  even  in  young ; 
first  dorsal  composed  of  a  single  spine  placed  over  posterior  part  of 
eye  and  bearing  two  series  of  barbs  posteriorly,  its  length  about  equal 
to  snout;  second  dorsal  and  anal  similar;  caudal  fin  not  longer  than 
snout,  convex  at  all  ages ;  pectoral  fins  short,  2.7  to  3.3  in  head. 

Color  in  life  of  a  specimen  84  mm.  in  length,  green,  sides  with 
four  (2  distinct)  dark  longitudinal  bands ;  ventral  flap  green,  with  an 
orange  margin;  dorsal  and  anal  red;  caudal  dark  green,  with  2  black 
cross-bars.  The  color  is  variable  and  the  dark  longitudinal  bands  de- 
scribed in  the  above  specimen  are  usually  not  present. 

This  species  is  represented  in  the  Panama  collection  by  14  speci- 
mens, ranging  from  30  to  85  mm.  in  length.  The  development  of  the 
ventral  flap  is  variable.  In  some  specimens  even  of  small  size,  50  mm. 


8oo    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

in  length,  it  is  well  developed  and  extends  much  beyond  the  ventral 
spine,  in  others  much  longer  it  is  often  less  strongly  developed.  The 
development  of  the  bristles  on  caudal  peduncle  is  also  very  variable 
among  individuals.  This  species  differs  from  M.  hispidus:  a.  In  the 
shallower  and  less  robust  body,  a  difference  which  is,  however,  only 
apparent  when  specimens  of  like  size  are  compared,  b.  The  greater 
development  of  the  ventral  flap,  in  the  present  species,  usually  distin- 
guishes the  two  quite  readily,  but  at  times  this  variable  character  also 
fails  among  the  young,  c.  The  longer  and  less  densely  placed  spines 
on  the  caudal  peduncle.  Although  this  character  also  varies,  it  appears 
to  be  of  value.  In  very  young  this  character  is  often  evident  only  as 
a  bare  area  at  the  base  of  the  caudal.  It  is  from  this  area  that  later 
the  largest  and  strongest  recurved  spines  arise. 

Recorded  from  North  Carolina,  Florida,  the  West  Indies,  Caledonia 
Bay,  and  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from  Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

207.  Genus  Cantherines  Swainson. 

Cantherines  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II  1839,  327  (type 

Monacanthus  nasutus  Quoy  &  Gaimard). 
Liomonacanthus  Bleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  Ill,  1866,  13  (type 

Monacanthus  pardalis    Riippell). 

This  genus  is  distinguished  from  Monacanthus  by  the  absence  of 
barbs  on  the  dorsal  spine  and  by  the  more  anterior  position  of  the 
dorsal  spine,  which  is  placed  over  or  slightly  in  advance  of  middle  of 
eye. 

578.  Cantherines  pullus  (Ranzani). 

Monacanthus  pullus  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst.  Bonon., 

V,  1842,4,  PI.  I  (Brazil). 
Monacanthusmacrocerus'H.otta.Td,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  4th  Ser.,  II,  1854,  327, 

PI.  XII,  fig.  i  (Bahia). 
Monacanthus  ruppelii  Castelnau,  Anim.  Nouv.  Rares  Amer.  Sud,  1855, 

97,  PI.  XLVII,  fig.  2  (Bahia). 

Monacanthus  stratus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  329  (Cuba). 
Monacanthus  irroratus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  330  (Cuba). 
Monacanthus  parraianus  Poey,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  185 

(Cuba). 

Monacanthus  punctatus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  437  (Cuba). 
Monacanthus  pardalis  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  230 

(in  part). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       801 

Cantherines  pullus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1713. 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-opening  2.85  to  3.25 ;  depth  at  vertical 
from  vent  2.1  to  2.3 ;  D.  35  or  36;  A.  32  to  34. 

Body  moderately  deep;  profile  concave  in  advance  of  eyes;  snout 
long,  1.2  in  head;  eye  placed  high,  3.6  to  4.5;  mouth  small,  terminal  or 
slightly  superior;  gill-opening  an  oblique  slit,  equal  to  or  longer  than 
eye  in  specimens  100  mm.  or  more  in  length ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  rather 
broad,  with  sharp  cutting  edges ;  body  densely  covered  with  small 
bristles ;  a  prominent  ventral  spine  present,  beyond  which  the  flap  does 
not  extend;  first  dorsal  composed  of  a  single  spine,  situated  over  or 
slightly  in  advance  of  middle  of  eye,  equal  to  length  of  snout  and 
bearing  no  barbs  posteriorly;  dorsal  and  anal  similar;  caudal  fin 
shorter  than  snout,  its  margin  convex;  pectoral  fins  short,  2.6  to  2.8 
in  head. 

Color  -greenish,  variable,  usually  with  a  white  spot  on  caudal  pe- 
duncle just  behind  last  rays  of  dorsal ;  sides  of  head  with  wavy  bluish 
streaks ;  sides  of  tail  often  with  pale  longitudinal  bands. 

This  species  was  not  seen  at  Panama,  but  is  here  included  be- 
cause it  is  known  from  localities  both  north  and  south  of  the  Isthmus 
and  it  doubtless  in  time  will  be  taken  on  the  coast  of  Panama.  It  is  here 
described  from  specimens  from  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil,  ranging 
from  90  to  170  mm.  in  length.  This  fish  is  said  to  reach  a  weight  of  6 
pounds. 

Known  from  the  coast  of  Florida,  West  Indies  and  Brazil. 

208.  Genus  Alutera  Oken. 

Alutera  Oken,  Isis,   1917,   1183    (type  Batistes  monoceros  Linnaeus). 
Ceratacanthus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  Suppl.,  57  (type 

Batistes  aurantiacus  Mitchill). 
Osbeckia  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  424  (type  Batistes  scriptus  Osbeck). 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  strongly  compressed;  mouth  small, 
oblique,  lower  jaw  projecting;  gill-slit  oblique,  longer  than  eye;  dor- 
sal spine  long,  slender,  without  barbs ;  caudal  fin  quite  long,  more  or 
less  pointed ;  pelvic  bone  not  surmounted  by  a  spine.  A  single  species 
was  taken  at  Panama.  We,  however,  include  A.  scripta,  a  widely  dis- 
tributed species,  which  will  doubtless  sooner  or  later  be  taken  on  one 
or  both  coasts  of  Panama. 


802    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Body  rather  deep;  dorsal  fin  with  35  to  38  rays;  anal  rays  39 
or  40;  sides  of  head  with  or  without  small  black  spots,  no 
bluish  wavy  streaks.  schcspfii,  p.  802. 

aa.  Body  not  very  deep;  dorsal  fin  with  45  to  47  rays;  anal  rays 
48  to  50;  sides  of  head  with  prominent  black  spots  and  with 
bluish  wavy  streaks.  scripta,  p.  803. 

579.  Alutera  schoepfii  (Walbaum). 

Batistes  schoepfii  Walbaum,  Artedi  Piscium,  1792,  461   (Long  Island). 

Batistes  aurantiacus  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  &  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I,  1815, 

468  (New  York;  adult). 
Alutera  punctata  Agassiz,  in  Spix,  Pise.  Brasil.,  1829,  137,  PI.  LXXVI 

(Brazil);  Jordan  &Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

1718;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,  1913,  63 

(off  coast  of  Brazil)  ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  135 

(Colon). 
Aluteres  cuspicauda  De  Kay,  Fauna  N.  Y.,  Fishes,  1842,  338  (New 

York ;  young) . 
Aluterus  holbroocki  Hollard,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  4th  Ser.,  IV,   1855,  7 

(North  America). 
Aluterus  cultrifrons  Hollard,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  4th  Ser.,  IV,  1855,  8,  PI. 

IV,  fig.  2  (New  York  and  Bahia). 
Ceratacanthus  aurantiacus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  Suppl., 

57- 

Alutera  schcepfii  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1718,  P.  CCLX,  fig.  636. 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill-slit  3  to  3.4;  depth  2.3  to  2.7;  D.  35  to 
38;  A.  39  or  40. 

Body  elongate,  strongly  compressed ;  dorsal  profile  concave  over 
snout,  convex  over  eyes;  head  poorly  differentiated;  snout  long,  i.i 
to  1.18  in  head;  eye  4  to  5;  mouth  small;  lower  jaw  projecting;  gill- 
slit  oblique,  twice  as  long  as  eye  in  adult,  not  more  than  \y2  times  the 
length  of  eye  in  small  specimens;  teeth  broad,  with  triangular  cutting 
edges,  those  in  upper  jaw  in  two  series ;  body  covered  with  rough 
spines,  each  of  which  with  a  separate  base  and  expanded  at  the  tip; 
first  dorsal  composed  of  a  single  spine,  situated  slightly  behind  mid- 
dle of  eye,  usually  not  as  long  as  head,  posteriorly  rough,  but  without 
distinct  barbs;  second  dorsal  and  anal  similar;  caudal  fin  extremely 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       803 

long  in  young,  proportionately  shorter  in  adult,  from  J4  to  V*  the  total 
length ;  pectoral  fins  short,  3.3  to  4  in  head. 

Color  of  specimens  at  hand  dark  brown;  sides  with  dark  round 
spots,  these  most  numerous  in  our  largest  example  and  fewest  in  the 
smallest  one ;  caudal  fin  very  dark ;  other  fin  plain  translucent. 

There  are  only  4  specimens,  ranging  from  120  to  172  mm.  in 
length,  in  the  present  collection.  We  have  compared  our  specimens 
with  others  from  North  Carolina  and  Jamaica  with  which  they  essen- 
tially agree.  The  species  apparently  is  not  distinct  from  A.  punctata. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  south  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

580.  Alutera  scripta  (Osbeck). 

Batistes  scriptus  Osbeck,  Reise  Ostind.  China,  Ed.  II,  1765,  p.  145. 

Batistes  monoceros  var.  scriptus  Gmelin,  Syst.  Nat.,  I,  Pt.  Ill,  1789, 

1463  (after  Osbeck). 
Balistes  Icevis  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  IX,  1795,  82,  PI.  CCCCXIV 

(Morocco;  Tranquebar). 

Balistes  ornatus  Marion  de  Proce,  Bull.  Soc.  Philo.  Paris,  1822,  131. 
Monacanthum  proboscidcum  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst. 

Bonon.,  V,  1842,  8  (Brazil). 
Aluterus  venosus  Hollard,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  4th  Ser.,  1855,  14,  PI.  IV, 

fig.  3  (New  Ireland,  Bismarck  Archipelago). 

Alutera  picturata  Poey,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  178  (Cuba). 
Monacanthus  scriptus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  252. 
Alutera  scripta  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI, 

1895    (1896),  424;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1719,  PI.  CCLX,  fig.  637  (figure  wrong,  probably 

young  of  A.  schcepfii}  ;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,   1925,  157 

(Caledonia  Bay). 
Osbcckia  scripta  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish.  Comm.,  XXIII, 

1903  (1905),  422,  fig.  184  (after  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1900,  PI.  CCLX,  fig.  637,  which  is  not  scripta). 

Head  to  upper  angle  of  gill  opening  3.15  to  4.6;  depth  2.65  to  4; 
D.  47  to  49;  A.  48  to  51 ;  eye  3.25  to  5  in  head;  snout  i.i  to  1.3;  pec- 
toral 3.2  to  3.4. 

This  species  differs  from  A.  schcepfii  in  the  more  elongate  body, 
smoother  skin,  longer  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  shorter  caudal  fin  and  in 
color.  Comparing  young  of  about  100  mm.  in  length,  the  most  strik- 
ing difference  is  the  length  of  the  caudal  fin.  In  A.  schcepfii  the  caudal 
fin  is  long  and  narrow,  being  more  than  one-half  the  length  of  body, 


804    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

while  in  the  present  species  it  is  broad  and  very  notably  less  than  half 
the  length  of  body. 

The  color  in  the  present  species  is  variegated,  the  sides  of  head 
and  body  bearing  prominent  markings.  In  our  small  specimens  from 
the  west  coast  of  Panama  the  entire  head  and  sides  are  reticulated  and 
marbled,  the  ground  color  being  very  dark,  in  spirits,  and  the  reticu- 
lations pale.  Dark  bars  extend  across  the  pale  chest  and  abdomen  and 
to  the  base  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  which  are  colorless;  caudal  fin 
dark,  with  a  pale  margin  and  black  cross-bars.  Large  specimens  from 
the  West  Indies  have  prominent  dark  spots  on  sides,  and  in  front  and 
below  the  eye  there  are  bluish,  wavy  longitudinal  stripes. 

There  are  3  specimens,  ranging  from  70  to  105  mm.  in  length, 
in  the  Panama  collection,  taken  on  the  Pacific  coast  at  Chame  Point  by 
Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie.  It  was  not  seen  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama. 

The  species  is  recorded  from  South  Carolina,  southward  to  the 
West  Indies  and  Brazil,  from  Ascension  Island  and  also  from  the 
East  Indies,  Hawaiian  Islands  and  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  America 
from  Mazatlan,  Clarion,  Sacorro,  and  the  Revillagigedo  Islands.  It 
recently  has  been  recorded  by  Breder  from  Caledonia  Bay  on  the  east 
coast  of  the  Isthmus. 


Family  LXVIII.    Ostraciida. 

THE  TRUNK-FISHES. 

Body  short,  cuboid,  3,  4  or  5  angled,  covered  by  a  hard  box-like 
shell,  composed  of  more  or  less  definitely  defined  polygonial  plates, 
wanting  only  on  caudal  peduncle,  about  the  mouth  and  bases  of  the  fins ; 
caudal  peduncle  long;  mouth  small,  terminal;  a  single  row  of  pointed 
teeth  in  each  jaw;  gill-opening  a  short,  nearly  vertical  slit  below  and 
posterior  to  eye;  dorsal  fin  small,  inserted  far  backward,  composed  of 
soft  rays  only;  caudal  fin  with  10  rays,  its  posterior  margin  square  or 
rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal  and  nearly  opposite  it;  ventral 
fins  wanting;  pectoral  fins  short. 

209.  Genus  Lactophrys  Swainson. 

Lactophrys  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  324  (type 

Ostracion  trigonus  Linnaeus). 
Rhinesomus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  324  (type 

Ostracion  triqueter  Bloch). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       805 

Acanthostracion  Bleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  Ill,  1866,  15  (type 

Ostracion  quadricornis  Linnaeus). 
Chapinus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  424  (type  Ostracion  bicaudalis  Linnaeus). 

This  genus  consists  of  trunk-fishes  which  have  the  carapace  3-angled, 
the  ventral  surface  being  flat  or  concave.  The  carapace  is  closed  behind 
the  anal  fin  and  it  may  or  may  not  have  frontal  or  lateral  ventral  spines. 
The  dorsal  fin  consist  of  9  or  10  rays  and  the  caudal  fin  always  has  10 
rays.  Four  American  species  are  known  from  the  Atlantic  coast,  all  of 
which  are  included  in  the  following  pages.  The  genus  has  not  yet  been 
found  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  America. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Carapace  without  spines  anywhere.  triqueter,  p.  805. 
aa.     Carapace  with  spines,  at  least  on  the  ventral  ridges. 

b.  Frontal  spines  wanting ;  a  single  spine  on  each  side  of  the  ven- 
tral ridge. 

c.  Carapace  closed  behind  the  dorsal  fin;  body  everywhere  with 
round  dark  spots.  bicaudalis,  p.  806. 

cc.  Carapace  open  behind  the  dorsal  fin ;  body  mottled  with  pale  areas 
and  with  a  dark  area  behind  gill-opening  and  another  one  on 
the  side.  trigonus,  p.  806. 

bb.  A  strong  spine  in  front  of  each  eye;  a  spine  on  each  side  on 
ventral  ridge.  tricornis,  p.  807. 

581.  Lactophrys  triqueter  (Linnseus). 

Ostracion  triqueter  Linnseus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  330  (India). 

Ostracion  concatenatus  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  I,  1785,  101,  PI. 

CXXXI  (Martinique;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier). 
Lactophrys  triqueter  Jordan  &   Evermann,   Bull.   U.    S.    Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1722,  PI.  CCLXI,  fig.  638. 

Head  2.8;  depth  at  nape  1.7;  D.  10;  A.  10. 

Body  short  and  deep,  sharply  3-angled ;  no  spines  anywhere ;  dorsal 
ridge  sharply  compressed,  beginning  between  posterior  part  of  eyes  and 
extending  to  dorsal  fin;  the  carapace  closed  behind  dorsal  fin;  head 
short;  the  anterior  profile  concave;  snout  projecting,  1.35  in  head;  eye 
2.4;  interorbital  deeply  concave,  1.45;  mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth  in 
the  jaws  rather  strong,  pointed;  dorsal  fin  highest  anteriorly;  caudal 
fin  rather  long,  rounded ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  its  origin  under 
about  middle  of  dorsal ;  pectoral  fins  broad,  the  upper  rays  longest,  1.55 
in  head. 


806    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Color  in  life  dark  green  above ;  ventral  surfaces  nearly  black ;  sides 
with  small  greenish  blue  spots;  bases  of  dorsal,  caudal  and  pectorals 
black ;  the  distal  part  of  caudal  fin  black ;  the  fins  otherwise  plain. 

A  single  small  specimen,  58  mm.  long,  upon  which  the  above  descrip- 
tion is  based,  was  taken.  The  adults  are  proportionately  longer  and 
more  slender,  the  head  is  longer,  and  the  angles  of  the  body  are  less 
prominent.  The  species  is  not  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama. 

Known  from  North  Carolina  southward  to  Bahia,  Brazil,  occasion- 
ally straying  northward  as  far  as  Woods  Hole,  Mass.  Our  specimen 
was  taken  at  Porto  Bello. 

582.  Lactophrys  bicaudalis   (Linnaeus). 

Ostracion  bicaudalis  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  330  (India)  ; 

Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  257. 
Lactophrys   trigonus  Jordan   &   Evermann,   Bull.   U.    S.    Nat.    Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1723  (in  part). 
Lactophrys  bicaudalis  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  157  (Caledonia 

Bay). 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  us,  but  it  is  readily  separated  from  L. 
trigonus,  its  nearest  relative,  by  the  closed  carapace  behind  the  dorsal 
fin  and  by  the  many  small  dark  spots  on  the  body  and  caudal. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  south  to  Ascension  Island;  recently 
recorded  by  Breder  from  Caledonia  Bay  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama. 

583.  Lactophrys  trigonus  (Linnaeus). 

Ostracion  trigonus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  330  (India;  after 

Artedi). 
Ostracion  yalei  Storer,  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.,  I,  1837,  353,  PL  VIII 

(Holmes  Hole,  Martha's  Vineyard). 

Ostracion  oviceps  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXI,  1855,  218. 
Ostracion  trigonum  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  362. 
Ostracion  undulatus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  441  (Havana). 
Ostracion  expansum  Cope,  Trans.  Amer.  Philo.  Soc.  Phila.,  1871,  474, 

figs.  9  &  10  (St.  Martins,  West  Indies). 
Lactophrys   trigonus  Jordan   &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.    Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1723,  PI.  CCLXIII,  figs.  641  &  6413;  Fowler,  Proc. 

Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136  (Colon). 

Head  3.8;  depth  at  nape  2.65  to  2.8;  D.  10;  A.  10. 

Body  sharply  3-angled ;  no  spine  before  eye ;  each  ventral  ridge  with 
a  large  flat  spine  situated  somewhat  in  advance  of  vent;  dorsal  ridge 
sharply  compressed,  more  or  less  notched  in  adult ;  the  carapace  open 


SEPT.  1928,    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       807 

behind  dorsal,  followed  by  one  or  two  separate  scutes ;  head  very  deep ; 
the  snout  not  much  in  advance  of  forehead,  1.15  to  1.25  in  head;  eye 
2.3;  interorbital  concave,  1.65;  mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth  in  the  jaws 
strong,  canine-like;  dorsal  fin  small,  with  convex  margin;  caudal  fin 
truncate;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  its  origin  at  vertical  from  base 
of  last  dorsal  ray;  pectoral  fins  broad,  the  upper  rays  longest,  1.5  to  1.6 
in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  greenish  gray,  the  center  of  the  plates  somewhat 
lighter ;  black  lines  back  of  the  gill-opening,  forming  more  or  less  distinct 
circles,  similar  markings  further  back  on  side  at  level  of  eye  and  above 
and  somewhat  in  advance  of  spines  on  ventral  ridges;  fins  plain  trans- 
lucent. 

We  have  3  adult  specimens  at  hand,  ranging  in  length  from  160  to 
190  mm.,  upon  which  the  above  description  is  based.  We  also  have  a 
young  individual,  53  mm.  long,  which  differs  so  essentially  from  the 
adult  that  it  seems  advisable  to  call  attention  to  these  differences  which 
do  not  appear  to  have  been  described  previously.  The  head  in  the 
young  is  proportionately  much  larger  (2.7  in  body)  ;  the  body  is  notably 
shorter  and  deeper  (the  depth  at  nape  1.7  in  length)  ;  the  dorsal  ridge 
is  notably  higher ;  and  the  ventral  spines  are  much  smaller,  being  mere 
points,  scarcely  as  long  as  pupil.  The  species  is  used  as  food  to  a 
limited  extent. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  to  Bahia,  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Colon. 

584.  Lactophrys  tricornis  (Linnaeus). 

Ostracion  tricornis  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  331   (no  locality 

given). 
Ostracion  quadricornis  Linnaeus,   Syst.   Nat.,  Ed.  X,   1758,  331    (no 

locality  given). 
Ostracion  lister  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  I,  1798,  468,  PI.  XXIII, 

fig.  2  (no  locality  given). 
Ostracion  sexcornutus  Mitchill,  Amer.  Monthly  Mag.,  II,   1818,  328 

•    (mouth  of  Mississippi  River). 

Ostracion  maculatus  Hollard,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  4th  Ser.,  VII,  1857,  149. 
Ostracion  guineensis  Bleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  II,  1865,  302 

(Guinea). 

Ostracion  gronovii  Bleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  II,  1865,  302. 
Acanthostracion  polygonius  Poey,  Enumeratio,  1876,  175  (Cuba). 


808    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Ostracium  quadricorne  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 
1882  (1883),  854. 

Lactophrys   tricornis  Jordan   &   Evermann,   Bull.   U.   S.    Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1724,  PI.  CCLXI,  fig.  639;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat. 

Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136  (Colon). 

Head  2.95  to  3.1 ;  depth  at  nape  1.75  to  2;  D.  9  or  10;  A.  10. 

Body  sharply  3-angled;  a  prominent,  horn-like  spine  before  each 
eye;  each  ventral  ridge  with  a  prominent  spine,  situated  somewhat  in 
advance  of  anal;  dorsal  ridge  sharply  compressed;  the  carapace  closed 
behind  the  dorsal  fin;  head  deep;  snout  little  in  advance  of  forehead, 
1.15  to  2  in  head;  eye  2.1  to  2.4;  interorbital  deeply  concave,  1.05  to 
1.15;  mouth  very  small,  terminal;  teeth  in  the  jaws  rather  strong, 
pointed ;  dorsal  fin  small,  the  anterior  rays  longest ;  caudal  fin  quite  long, 
rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  its  origin  notably  behind  base 
of  last  dorsal  ray ;  pectoral  fins  rather  broad,  the  upper  rays  the  longest, 
1.25  to  1.45  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  the  abdomen  paler;  body  everywhere 
spotted  with  black ;  the  fins  plain  translucent. 

This  species  is  represented  by  3  small  specimens  ranging  in  length 
from  35  to  45  mm.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  common  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  southward  to  Natal,  Brazil,  also  rang- 
ing eastward  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Colon. 

Family  LXIX.    Tetraodontidae. 

THE  PUFFERS. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate ;  the  belly  usually  capable  of  great  inflation 
either  with  air  or  water;  head  large;  mouth  small,  terminal;  teeth  in 
each  jaw  fused  into  a  kind  of  beak  with  a  median  suture ;  gill-slits  small, 
situated  immediately  in  front  of  pectorals;  scales  usually  absent;  the 
skin  often  covered  with  prickles;  lateral  line  conspicuous  or  not;  air- 
bladder  present;  spinous  dorsal  and  ventral  fins  absent;  dorsal  fin 
inserted  posteriorly,  short,  consisting  of  soft  rays  only ;  caudal  fin  various 
in  shape;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal  and  opposite  or  slightly  behind 
it ;  pectoral  fins  short  and  broad.  The  members  of  this  family  are  for 
the  most  part  restricted  to  the  warmer  coastal  waters.  They  are  slug- 
gish swimmers  and  when  inflated  they  float  on  the  back  at  the  surface. 
Inflation  usually  takes  place  when  the  animal  is  disturbed  and  it  is 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEE£  AND  HILDEBRAND.       809 

doubtlessly  a  means  of  protection,  for  the  body  is  thereby  greatly 
enlarged  and  the  prickles  on  the  skin,  when  the  abdomen  is  inflated, 
project  much  more  strongly.  Five  genera  are  represented  in  the 
Panama  collection. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Nostrils  with  2  distinct  openings  on  each  side,  usually  with  a 
more  or  less  distinct  tube. 

b.  Olfactory  organ  consisting  of  a  single  short  canal  on  each  side, 
with  2  small  openings;  the  canal  without  cup-shaped  pits,  the 
inner  surface  usually  being  smooth  or  provided  with  one  or  a 
few  folds  of  skin. 

c.  Body  comparatively  elongate;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  rather  long, 
each  with  12  to  15  rays;  lower  sides  of  tail  with  a  cutaneous 
fold.  Lagocephalus,  p.  809. 

cc.  Body  oblong,  plump ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  small,  consisting  of  6 
to  8  rays  each;  lower  sides  of  tail  without  a  distinct  cutaneous 
fold.  Sphceroides,  p.  8n. 

bb.  Olfactory  organ  consisting  of  a  transverse  tube,  open  at  each 
end  to  its  full  diameter;  the  inner  surface  of  the  tube  closely 
covered  with  cup-shaped  pits  visible  to  the  naked  eye. 

Guentheridia,  p.  82 1 . 

aa.  Nostrils  with  a  single  opening  on  each  side,  without  a  tube,  and 
with  or  without  a  bifid  tentacle. 

d.  Each  nostril  with  a  bifid  tentacle;  the  body  rather  broad,  the 
back  not  compressed.  Tetraodon,  p.  822. 

dd.  Nostrils  without  a  distinct  tube  or  tentacle,  with  a  single  small 
opening  on  each  side;  the  back  compressed  and  produced  into 
a  short  prominence  over  the  pectoral  fins.  Canthig aster,  p.  825. 

210.  Genus  Lagocephalus  Swainson. 

Lagocephalus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  328  (type 
Tetraodon  stellatus  Donovan). 

Physogaster  Miiller,  Abh.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1839,  252  (type  Tetra- 
odon lunaris  Bloch  &  Schneider;  name  preoccupied). 

Gastrophysus  Miiller,  Achiv.  Naturg.,  IX,  1843,  33°  (type  Tetraodon 
lunaris  Linnaeus;  substitute  for  Physogaster,  preoccupied). 
Body  comparatively  elongated;  skin  smooth  or  variously  prickly, 

prickles  most  strongly  developed  on  abdomen ;  nostrils  without  distinct 

papillae,  each  with  two  distinct  openings ;  lower  sides  of  tail  with  a 


8  io    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

cutaneous  fold;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  long,  falcate,  each  with  12  to  15 
rays;  caudal  fin  deeply  lunate. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Body  rather  robust,  the  depth  3.1  to  3.3  in  length;  head  2.6 
to  2.7.  pachycephalus,  p.  810. 

aa.  Body  rather  elongate,  the  depth  4.3  to  4.5  in  length;  head  3.25 
to  3.3.  l&vigatus,  p.  811. 

585.  Lagocephalus  pachycephalus  (Ranzani). 

Tetrodon  pachycephalus  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst.  Bonon., 

IV,  1840,  73,  PI.  XI,  fig.  2  (Brazil). 
Lagocephalus  pachycephalus  Jordan   &  Rutter,   Proc.   Ac.   Nat.    Sci. 

Phila.,  1897,  128;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1728;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136 

(Colon). 

Head  2.6  to  2.7;  depth  3.1  to  3.3;  D.  13  or  14;  A.  13. 

Body  rather  robust;  head  large;  snout  blunt,  5.15  to  5.25  in  head; 
eye  3-3  to  341  interorbital  (bone)  3.2  to  3.7;  mouth  small,  terminal, 
the  lips  with  dermal  folds;  the  skin  smooth  above  and  on  sides,  the 
chest  and  abdomen  with  rather  strong  prickles,  a  slight  fold  of  skin 
along  lower  part  of  side  of  tail ;  lines  of  mucous  pores  distinct,  four 
short  lines  inclosing  a  quadrangular  area  back  of  eye,  a  line  surround- 
ing the  eye  extending  from  the  anterior  corners,  the  lateral  line  extend- 
ing from  the  posterior  angle  directly  backward  nearly  to  origin  of  dorsal, 
then  downward  to  middle  of  side  of  caudal  peduncle;  dorsal  fin  rather 
long,  highest  anteriorly,  its  origin  somewhat  nearer  anterior  margin  of 
eye  than  tip  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  rather  long,  its  posterior  margin 
rather  deeply  lunate,  the  upper  lobe  longest ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal 
and  opposite  it;  pectoral  fins  short  and  broad,  the  upper  rays  longest, 
2.05  to  2.25  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  light  grayish  above;  sides  bright  silvery;  lower 
surface  plain  white ;  interorbital  area  somewhat  darker  than  the  ground 
color;  dark  bar  crossing  the  back  about  midway  between  the  eyes  and 
the  origin  of  the  dorsal ;  a  second  dark  bar  under  the  base  of  the  dorsal 
and  a  third  one  on  the  caudal  peduncle;  the  anal  fin  plain  translucent; 
all  the  other  fins  more  or  less  dusky.  . 

This  species  is  probably  quite  rare  on  the  coast  of  Panama.  Only 
2  small  specimens,  each  113  mm.  in  length,  were  seen. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Hindi  Cut,  Canal  Zone. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       811 

586.  Lagocephalus  laevigatus  (Linnaeus). 

Tetraodon  lavigatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  1766,  411  (Charles- 
ton, S.  C.). 
Tetrodon  curvus  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I,  1815,  472 

(New  York). 
Tetrodon  mathematicus  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I, 

1815,  474  (New  York). 

Holocanthus  melanothos  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  24  (Carolina). 
Tetrodon  lineolatus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  432  (Cuba). 
Lagocephalus  lavigatus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882   (1883),  860;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1728,  PI.  CCLXIII,  fig.  642. 

Head  3.25  to  3.3;  depth  4.3  to  4.5;  D.  13  or  14;  A.  12  or  13. 

Body  rather  elongate,  slender;  head  large;  snout  blunt,  2.1  in  head; 
eye  4.8;  interorbital  2.3;  skin  of  back  and  sides  smooth;  chest  and  abdo- 
men with  depressible  spines ;  lower  edge  of  caudal  peduncle  with  a  fold 
of  skin;  mucous  lines  as  in  L.  pachycephalus;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  large 
and  falcate,  the  last  rays  rapidly  shortened ;  caudal  fin  deeply  lunate. 

Color  in  alcohol  purple  above  to  nearly  black;  sides  dirty  silvery; 
belly  white.  The  young  have  3  broad,  dark,  transverse  bands  on  back 
of  trunk,  I  on  caudal  peduncle  and  similar  narrower  bands  on  top  of 
head. 

This  species  comes  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work,  but  it  was 
not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  compiled  from  published 
accounts.  This  fish  is  said  to  be  sluggish  and  to  reach  a  length  of  2 
feet.  It  appears  to  be  of  no  value  for  food. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  to  Brazil;  not  as  yet  recorded  from 
Panama. 

211.  Genus  Sphceroides  Dumeril. 

Les  spheroides  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  II,  1800,  22  (type  French 

name  only,  "Le  spheroide  tubercule"). 
Spheroides   Dumeril,    Zool.    Analy.,    1806,    108   and    342    (type    "Le 

spheroide  tubercule"  Lacepede). 
Cirrhisomus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  328  (type 

Tetrodon  spengleri  Bloch). 
Orbidus  Rafinesque,  Analyse  Nat.,  etc.,  1815,  90  (substitute  for  "Les 

spheroides  Lacepede). 
Chelichthys  Miiller,  Abhand.  k.  Ak.   Wiss.   Berlin,   1839,  252    (type 

Tetraodon  testudineus  Linnaeus). 


812     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Holocanthus  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  23  (type  Holocanthus  leionothos 

Gronow;  name  preoccupied). 
Anchisomus  Kaup,  in  Richardson,  in  Forbes,  Zool.  Voy.  Herald,  1854, 

I56(  type  Tetrodon  spengleri  Bloch). 

Body  oblong,  plump,  capable  of  considerable  inflation ;  a  single  short 
nasal  canal  on  each  side  with  two  openings  near  its  tip;  skin  often 
largely  smooth,  sometimes  with  more  or  less  distinct  scale-like  dermal 
development,  usually  also  with  prickles  at  least  on  a  portion  of  the  back 
and  abdomen,  and  not  infrequently  with  dermal  cirri;  dorsal  and  anal 
fins  similar,  small,  consisting  of  6  to  8  rays  each;  caudal  fin  moderate, 
usually  with  straight  or  convex  margin,  but  occasionally  slightly  con- 
cave. This  genus  consists  of  many  species,  mostly  American,  which 
inhabit  warm  seas. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Caudal  fin  slightly  rounded  posteriorly  or  nearly  straight,  never 
concave. 

b.  Body  with  evident  membranous  (not  ossified)  scales  on  sides, 
having  free  margins  and  being  arranged  in  more  or  less  definite 
series  like  normal  scales.  marmoratus,  p.  813. 

bb.  Body  without  well  developed  membranous  scales,  small,  if 
present,  and  without  free  margins. 

c.  Sides  with  a  row  of  round  black  spots  bounding  the  dark  area 
of  the  back  and  the  white  of  the  abdomen ;  no  pale  lines  or  retic- 
ulations on  back  and  sides ;  snout  long,  1.8  to  2.1  in  head. 

d.  Skin  of  body  mostly  prickly,  spines  present  from  eyes  to  origin 
of  dorsal,  also  on  snout  and  abdomen;  body  robust,  the  depth 
at  nape  3  to  3.5  in  length ;  origin  of  anal  a  little  behind  vertical 
from  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal ;  pectoral  fins  rather  long,  2  to 
2.4  in  head.  lobatus,  p.  814. 

dd.  Skin  of  body  largely  smooth,  a  prickly  area  on  back  extending 
from  nape  about  half  way  to  dorsal ;  abdomen  with  prickles ;  no 
prickles  on  snout;  body  rather  slender,  the  depth  3.6  to  5.1  in 
length ;  origin  of  anal  under  middle  of  base  of  dorsal ;  pectoral 
fins  short,  2.75  to  3  in  head.  spengleri,  p.  815. 

cc.  Sides  without  a  definite  row  of  black  spots  bounding  the  line  of 
the  abdomen ;  snout  convex,  of  moderate  length,  about  2  to  2.5 
in  head  (except  in  5".  angusticeps  in  which  it  is  long  and  con- 
cave, 1.5  in  head). 

e.  Back  usually  with  pale  or  yellowish  lines  or  reticulations;  body 
robust;  width  of  head  just  anterior  to  gill-openings  1.15  to  1.25 
in  its  length ;  profile  of  snout  convex ;  back  and  abdomen  prickly ; 


*-i  •£ 


THE  LfBfWmr 
OF  TH£ 

• 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       813 

f.  Interorbital  bone  usually  convex,  very  broad,  about  4  in  head 
in  specimens  100  mm.  long,  3.2  in  specimens  150  mm.  long; 
color  of  back  dark  brownish,  with  more  or  less  definite  light 
yellow  lines,  inclosing  circular  and  elliptical  areas,  the  ellipses 
occupying  a  longitudinal  position  on  the  back,  a  small  ellipse 
inclosed  in  a  larger  one  (the  light  yellow  lines  wanting  in  large 
specimens);  no  evident  reticulations  on  sides;  black  spots  on 
sides,  if  present,  very  small.  annulatus,  p.  816. 

f  f.  Interorbital  bone  more  or  less  concave,  narrow,  about  6.5  in  head 
in  specimens  100  mm.  long,  4.6  in  specimens  150  mm.  long; 
color  of  back  very  dark  brown,  with  light  lines  inclosing  circular 
and  elliptical  areas  and  forming  reticulations  on  sides,  the  ellipses 
occupying  a  transverse  position  on  back;  black  spots  on  sides 
large  and  distinct.  testudineus,  p.  817. 

ee.  Back  without  lines  or  reticulations ;  sides  with  few  small  spots 
or  none;  body  elongate,  rather  slender;  width  of  head  just 
anterior  to  gill-opening  1.35  to  1.4  in  its  length;  back  and 
abdomen  smooth,  with  or  without  pores. 

g.  Snout  moderate,  its  profile  convex,  2.05  to  2.2  in  head;  inter- 
orbital  bone  of  moderate  width,  convex,  3.85  to  4.15  in  head 
in  specimens  180  to  190  mm.  long;  skin  without  dermal  tentacles. 

kendalli  sp.  nov.,  p.  819. 

gg.  Snout  very  long,  its  profile  convex,  i  .5  in  head ;  interorbital 
concave,  8  in  head  in  a  specimen  255  mm.  in  length ;  a  pair  of 
dermal  flaps,  about  an  eye's  diameter  apart,  situated  on  back 
at  vertical  from  base  of  pectorals.  angusticeps,  p.  820. 

aa.  Caudal  fin  posteriorly  moderately  concave;  snout  short,  2.6  to 
3.3  in  head ;  color  brownish  above,  the  back  with  large  dark 
blotches  nearly  as  broad  as  the  back ;  fins  all  colorless. 

furthii,  p.  821. 

587.  Sphoeroides  marmoratus  (Ranzani).      Plate  LXXVII.) 
Tetrodon  marmoratus  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst.  Bonon., 

IV,  1840,  73,  PI.  X,  fig.  i  (Brazil). 
Spheroides  marmoratus  Jordan  &  Rutter,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila., 

1897,  129;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1733. 

Head  2.5  to  2.8;  depth  3.1  to  3.8;  D.  7  or  8;  A.  6  or  7. 

Body  moderately  robust;  head  rather  large;  snout  moderate,  2  to 
2.15  in  head;  eye  3.6  to  5.3;  interorbital  (bone)  5.1  to  8;  skin  with 
prickles  from  interorbital  nearly  to  origin  of  dorsal,  and  on  chest  and 


8i4    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

abdomen;  sides  of  head  and  body  with  distinct  membranous  scales, 
arranged  in  more  or  less  definite  series  like  normal  scales  but  not 
ossified ;  the  edge  of  abdomen  with  a  few  cirri ;  lateral  line  very  distinct; 
dorsal  fin  rather  high,  inserted  posteriorly,  about  equidistant  from 
anterior  margin  of  eye  and  tip  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  moderate,  its 
posterior  margin  slightly  convex;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  but  some- 
what lower,  its  origin  under  or  slightly  behind  middle  of  base  of 
dorsal;  pectoral  fins  rather  short  and  broad,  the  upper  rays  longest, 
2.1  to  2.3  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  grayish  brown  above,  with  many  dark  spots 
varying  in  size  among  specimens,  largest  on  sides  of  back ;  some  speci- 
mens with  pale  reticulations  on  sides  and  occasionally  on  back;  lower 
parts  pale ;  caudal  fin  dusky,  but  without  an  indication  of  bars ;  other 
fins  colorless. 

There  are  8  specimens  of  this  rather  rare  species  in  the  Panama 
collection,  ranging  in  length  from  50  to  95  mm.  We  have  had  for 
comparison  specimens  from  Porto  Rico  and  San  Domingo  which  had 
been  identified  by  previous  workers.  Much  variation  in  color,  size 
of  eye,  and  the  size  of  the  prickly  areas  is  evident.  The  one  character, 
however,  that  readily  separates  this  species  from  all  others  examined  by 
us,  is  the  distinctness  of  the  scale-like  dermal  development  on  sides  of 
head  and  body.  This  character  is  not  mentioned  in  current  descriptions, 
but  it  certainly  is  worthy  of  consideration. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  all  from 
Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

588.  Sphceroides  lobatus  (Steindachner). 

Canthogaster  lobatus  Steindachner,  (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wein,  LXL) 

Ichth.  Notizen,  X,  1870,  18,  PL  V,  fig.  3  (Altata). 
Spheroides  lobatus  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  490; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1731 ; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  156;  Kendall  & 

Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  165  (Taboguilla 

Island,  Panama  Bay). 

Head  2.4 ;  depth  3  to  3.5 ;  D.  8 ;  A.  6. 

Body  comparatively  elongate;  head  rather  narrow;  snout  long,  1.9 
in  head;  eye  3.8  to  4.6;  interorbital  (bone)  5.1  to  7.6;  the  skin  of  the 
body  mostly  rough;  spines  present  from  eyes  to  dorsal,  also  spines  on 
snout,  and  rather  prominent  ones  on  the  abdomen;  no  dorsal  cirri 
present ;  dorsal  fin  far  back,  its  origin  about  equidistant  from  middle  of 
eye  and  tip  of  caudal ;  caudal  fin  rather  long,  rounded ;  anal  fin  similar 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       815 

to  the  dorsal,  its  origin  a  little  behind  vertical  from  base  of  last  ray 
of  dorsal ;  pectoral  fins  rather  broad,  2  to  2.4  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  very  dark  gray  above,  pale  below;  the  back  with 
small  round  black  spots;  a  row  of  larger  black  spots  on  sides  of  the 
pale  abdomen;  a  dark  cross-bar  between  eyes;  caudal  fin  with  a  dark 
bar  at  base,  the  distal  third  black;  other  fins  pale. 

This  rare  species  is  represented  by  2  small  specimens,  respectively 
43  and  57  mm.  in  length.  We  compared  our  specimens  with  one  90  mm. 
in  length  from  Mazatlan  and  find  them  identical. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  to  the  Galapagos  Islands. 
Our  specimens  are  from  Chame  Point  and  Naos  Island. 

589.  Sphceroides  spengleri   (Bloch). 

Tetrodon   spengleri   Bloch,   Naturg.   Ausl.   Fische,    I,    1785,    135,   PI. 

CXLIV  (East  Indies). 

Tetrodon  .plumieri  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  509  (Marti- 
nique). 

Tetrodon  turgidus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  432  (Cuba). 
Spheroides  spengleri  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.    S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1732,  PI.  CCLXIV,  fig.  644. 

Head  2.2  to  3.1 ;  depth  3.6  to  5.15 ;  D.  7  or  8;  A.  6  or  7. 

Body  rather  slender ;  head  narrow,  compressed ;  snout  long,  i  .85  to 
2.2  in  head;  eye  4  to  5.5;  interorbital  (bone)  7  to  12,  varying  with 
age;  skin  of  back  from  nape  backward  half  way  or  more  to  dorsal  with 
small  prickles ;  chest  and  abdomen  with  smaller  prickles ;  snout,  sides  and 
tail  smooth ;  lateral  line  evident ;  dorsal  fin  not  very  high,  its  origin  about 
equidistant  from  tip  of  tail  and  posterior  margin  of  eye ;  caudal  fin  mod- 
erate, the  margin  convex;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal  and  of  about 
the  same  height,  its  origin  under  middle  of  base  of  dorsal ;  pectoral  fins 
rather  short  and  broad,  2.75  to  3  in  head. 

Color  of  fresh  specimen :  Back  dark  green,  with  more  or  less  blue 
on  interorbital  and  nape ;  a  row  of  poorly  defined  black  spots  from 
below  eye  to  base  of  caudal;  a  row  of  large  well  defined  black  spots 
from  mandible  to  base  of  caudal;  lower  parts  pale;  iris  bright  red; 
caudal  fin  with  a  dark  bar  at  base  and  one  on  distal  part  of  fin;  fins 
otherwise  colorless.  The  color  is  fairly  uniform  in  all  specimens  at 
hand.  In  alcohol  the  back  is  grayish  brown  above  and  more  or  less 
irregularly  speckled  with  dark  points  and  spots. 

This  species  is  represented  by  a  series  of  34  specimens,  ranging  in 
length  from  30  to  TOO  mm.  It  is  not  as  rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of 
Panama  as  S.  marmoratus  but  much  less  common  than  S.  testudineus. 


8i6     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  to  the  West  Indies;  also  recorded 
from  the  French  Congo.  The  range  is  now  extended  southward  to 
the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from  Colon  and 
Porto  Bello. 

590.  Sphceroides  annulatus  (Jenyns).     (Plate  LXXVIII,  fig.  i.) 
Tetrodon  annulatus  Jenyns,  in  Darwin,  Zool.  Voy.  Beagle,  Pt.  IV,  Fish, 

1842,  153  (Chatham  Island,  Galapagos  Archipelago). 
Anchisomus  geometricus  Kaup,  in  Richardson,  in  Forbes,  Zool.  Voy. 

Herald,  1854,  156,  PI.  XXX  (Galapagos  Islands;  not  of  Bloch  & 

Schneider). 
Tetraodon  politus  Girard,   (House  of  Repr.  Ex.  Doc.  No.  91)  Rept. 

Expl.  &  Surv.  Miss.  R.  to  Pac.  O.,  X,  Pt.  IV,  1858,  340  (San  Diego, 

Cal.). 
Tetrodon  heraldi  Giinther,   Cat.   Fish.   Brit.   Mus.,   VIII,    1870,  283 

(Galapagos  Islands  and  Panama;  after  Richardson's  specimen). 
Tetrodon  geometricus  Giinther,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  VI,  1869, 

489. 
Sphceroides  testudineus  var.  annulatus  Jordan  &  Edwards,  Proc.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  240. 
Spheroides  politus  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889 

(1890),  183  (Panama  Bay). 
Spheroides  annulatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1735;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  157  (Panama)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp. 

Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,   165   (Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay)  ;  Fowler, 

Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama). 

Head  2.5  to  3;  depth  3.3  to  4;  D.  8;  A.  6  or  7. 

Body  robust,  nearly  round  in  cross  section  when  not  inflated;  head 
rather  flat  above;  snout  moderately  blunt,  2.2  to  2.5  in  head;  eye  3.5 
to  6.3;  interorbital  broad,  flat,  increasing  notably  in  width  with  age, 
the  bone  2.9  to  5  in  head;  dorsal  surface  from  interorbital  to  dorsal 
fin  covered  with  small  sharp  spines,  the  spines  also  covering  skin  of 
sides  behind  base  of  pectorals  and  the  entire  belly ;  dorsal  fin  placed  far 
back,  its  origin  about  equidistant  from  tip  of  caudal  and  posterior  margin 
of  eye ;  caudal  fin  very  slightly  rounded ;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  but 
somewhat  smaller,  its  origin  under  or  just  behind  the  base  of  the  last 
ray  of  dorsal ;  pectoral  fins  rather  broad,  1.7  to  2.45  in  head. 

Color  above  dark  brownish,  the  ventral  surface  pale ;  the  color  mark- 
ings of  the  back  vary;  usually  a  yellowish  line  across  snout  in  advance 
of  the  nostrils ;  2  yellow  cross  lines  behind  eyes,  the  anterior  one  extend- 


I! 


Ji 

co  £ 


TBE 

OF  IB* 
UHIVEBSIH  Or  I 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       817 

ing  downward  and  backward  to  gill-opening,  the  posterior  one  running 
parallel  with  the  anterior  one  and  extending  on  sides  behind  base  of 
pectorals.  In  some  specimens  there  is  a  short  line  on  middle  of  head 
connecting  the  two.  Then  there  is  a  yellow  line  enclosing  an  oblong 
area  on  back  which  extends  from  an  eye's  diameter  back  of  the  second 
cross  stripe,  described  above,  to  origin  of  dorsal.  Inside  of  the  area 
thus  enclosed  is  another  yellow  line  which  encloses  a  smaller  oblong  or 
elliptical  area  which,  however,  in  an  occasional  specimen  is  almost  per- 
fectly round.  Frequently  a  line  on  middle  of  back  extends  forward 
from  the  small  ellipse,  or  circle,  to  the  large  ellipse.  The  back  and 
sides  usually  with  dark  spots;  these  vary  in  size,  number  and  intensity 
on  different  specimens  and  on  an  occasional  specimen  they  are  entirely 
wanting.  The  fins  are  yellowish  in  life ;  the  caudal  usually  with  a  dark 
bar  at  base  and  the  distal  third  black.  The  pale  lines  (yellowish  in  life) 
on  back,  while  varying  in  intensity  among  specimens,  are  narrower  and 
more  distinct  in  the  young  than  in  the  adult.  Specimens  about  240  mm. 
in  length  have  broad  and  rather  indistinct  pale  lines  on  the  back  and  our 
largest  specimen  305  mm.  long  has  no  trace  of  pale  lines.  The  dark 
spots,  however,  become  more  numerous  with  age,  specimens  of  240  mm, 
and  upward  in  length  being  profusely  spotted  on  sides  and  back. 

This  puffer  is  extremely  abundant  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama, 
ascending  tide  streams  to  fresh  water.  We  preserved  84  specimens 
ranging  in  length  from  15  to  305  mm.  Gilbert  &  Starks  (1904)  report 
that  the  species  frequently  appeared  in  the  Panama  City  market.  We, 
however,  did  not  see  it  in  the  market  and  did  not  learn  that  it  was  of 
any  economic  value. 

Known  from  California  to  Peru  and  also  from  the  Galapagos 
Islands.  Our  specimens  are  from  Chame  Point,  Taboga  Island,  Corozal 
and  Balboa. 

591.  Sphceroides  testudineus  (Linnaeus).    (Plate  LXXVIII,  fig.  2.) 
Tetraodon  testudineus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  332. 
Tetrodon   geometricus   Bloch   &    Schneider,    Syst.    Ichth.,    1801,    508 

(Virginia). 
Tetraodon  ammocryptus  Gosse,  Naturalist's  Sojourn  in  Jamaica,  1851, 

287  (Jamaica). 
Anchisomus  reticularis  Kaup,  in  Richardson,  in  Forbes,   Zool.  Voy. 

Herald,  1854,   161,  PI.  XXXI   (not  Tetrodon  reticularis  Bloch  & 

Schneider) . 

Holocanthus  leionothos  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  24  (American  Ocean). 
Tetrodon  testudineus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  282. 


8:8     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Spheroides  testudineus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  1734,  PI.  CCLXV,  figs.  646  and  6463;  Fowler,  Proc. 
Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  and  1917,  136  (Colon)  ;  Breder, 
Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  142  and  157  (Gatun  Spillway  and  Cale- 
donia Bay). 

Head  2.4  to  2.8 ;  depth  3.3  to  4 ;  D.  7  or  8 ;  A.  6  or  7. 
Body  robust ;  head  rather  broad ;  snout  moderate,  2  to  2.8  in  head ; 
eye  3.85  to  6.1 ;  interorbital  (bone)  4.6  to  8,  getting  proportionately 
broader  with  age,  more  or  less  concave,  or  at  least  with  a  slight  ridge 
over  orbit ;  the  skin  with  small  prickles  on  back  from  interorbital  nearly 
to  dorsal,  and  extending  down  on  sides  under  and  behind  tip  of 
pectorals;  chest  and  abdomen  also  prickly;  snout  and  tail  smooth;  no 
cirri  present;  lateral  line  evident;  dorsal  fin  inserted  posteriorly,  its 
origin  about  equidistant  from  anterior  margin  of  eye  and  tip  of  tail; 
caudal  fin  rather  long,  slightly  convex;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal, 
but  smaller,  its  origin  under  base  of  posterior  ray  of  dorsal;  pectoral 
fins  short  and  broad,  2  to  2.5  in  head. 

Color  of  a  fresh  specimen :  Ground  color  of  back  nearly  uniformly 
dark  brown,  breaking  up  on  sides  and  becoming  lighter;  sides  with 
black  spots,  increasing  in  number  with  age;  the  back  with  narrow 
light  lines  (rarely  yellowish  in  life),  forming  reticulations  on  all  speci- 
mens at  hand ;  two  pale  lines  between  eyes,  inclosing  interorbital  area ; 
the  posterior  line  with  a  median  backward  extension,  meeting  an  ellipse 
on  occiput ;  another  line  extending  backward  on  median  line  of  back  from 
this  ellipse  to  a  circular  area  on  middle  of  back ;  another  irregular  pale 
line  crossing  the  back  just  in  advance  of  dorsal  and  2  behind  the  dorsal ; 
these  lines  connecting  with  other  reticulating  lines  on  sides ;  belly  pale ; 
caudal  fin  sometimes  wholly  dusky  but  more  usually  with  a  dusky  bar 
at  base  and  the  distal  fourth  of  the  fin  dusky ;  other  fins  pale  greenish, 
unmarked. 

This  species  is  extremely  abundant  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama 
and,  like  its  near  relative  5.  annulatus  from  the  Pacific,  it  ascends 
streams.  We  preserved  150  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  40  to 
215  mm.  6".  testudineus  is  rather  closely  related  to  5".  annulatus  but 
the  interorbital  is  somewhat  narrower,  a  difference  which  is  evident 
only  when  specimens  of  like  size  are  compared,  as  this  character 
varies  greatly  with  age  in  both  species.  The  interorbital  in  all  Atlantic 
specimens  at  hand  is  more  or  less  concave,  with  at  least  a  slightly 
elevated  ridge  over  orbit  which  can  readily  be  detected  under  the  skin 
through  touch.  None  of  our  Pacific  specimens  have  a  concave  inter- 
orbital and  usually  the  bone  is  slightly  convex.  The  young  of  S. 


Of 

iv&Vrt 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       819 

annulatus,  at  least,  may  be  readily  distinguished  by  the  fewer  lines  on 
back  and  sides  and  by  the  large  ellipses,  the  smaller  one  inside  of  the 
other,  the  larger  one,  and  usually  the  smaller  one,  being  notably  longer 
than  broad.  In  5".  testudineus  the  areas  surrounded  by  pale  lines  are 
broader  than  long,  i.e.,  the  ellipses  occupy  a  transverse  position  on  .the 
back.  The  species  is  of  no  economic  value. 

Known  from  Woods  Hole,  Mass.,  to  Natal,  Brazil.  Generally 
common  from  the  West  Indies  southward.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Mindi,  Toro  Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

592.  Sphceroides  kendalli  sp.  nov.    (Plate  LXXIX.) 

Spheroides  testudineus  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  156  (Panama  Bay;  not  of  Linnaeus). 

Type  No.  80952,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  190  mm.;  Panama  Bay, 
Balboa,  Canal  Zone. 

Head  2.95  to  3.05;  depth  3.75  to  5;  D.  8;  A.  7. 

Body  rather  elongate;  head  compressed,  notably  deeper  than  broad, 
its  width  just  in  advance  of  gill-opening  1.35  to  1.4  in  its  length;  snout 
moderate,  its  profile  convex,  2.05  to  2.2  in  head;  eye  4.9  to  5.6;  inter- 
orbital  moderately  broad,  slightly  convex,  3.85  to  4.15  in  head;  back 
and  abdomen  with  pores  in  the  skin  but  without  prickles  or  cirri; 
dorsal  inserted  about  equidistant  from  tip  of  caudal  and  anterior  margin 
of  eye;  caudal  fin  slightly  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  but 
somewhat  smaller,  inserted  at  vertical  from  base  of  last  dorsal  ray; 
pectoral  fins  short  and  broad,  1.9  in  head. 

Color  of  the  type  grayish  above,  white  below;  no  traces  of  pale 
or  yellowish  lines  on  sides  or  back;  small  dark  spots  on  sides  from 
pectorals  to  caudal ;  the  fins  pale  greenish ;  the  distal  part  of  the  caudal 
fin  dusky.  Our  other  specimen  agrees  with  the  type  in  color  pattern, 
but  the  back  and  upper  parts  of  the  sides  are  very  much  darker,  being 
dark  brown. 

We  have  at  hand  2  specimens,  respectively  180  and  190  mm.  long, 
which  appear  to  represent  a  new  species.  Gilbert  &  Starks  (1904) 
provisionally  referred  4  specimens  of  their  collection  from  Panama 
Bay  to  6".  testudineus  and  it  is  believed  that  those  specimens,  too,  belong 
to  the  species  here  described.  The  species  differs  from  both  5". 
testudineus  and  S,  annulatus  in  having  no  pale  or  yellowish  markings 
on  the  back  and  sides,  no  evident  prickles  on  the  skin,  and  in  the  less 
robust  head  and  body.  The  width  of  the  interorbital  bone,  as  shown  by 
a  comparison  of  specimens  of  even  size  of  all  3  species,  is  intermediate, 
i.e.,  it  is  broader  than  in  S.  testudineus  and  narrower  than  in  S.  annulatus. 


82o     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Our  specimens  are  from  Chame  Point  and  Balboa.  The  species 
is  named  for  Dr.  William  C.  Kendall,  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Fisheries, 
in  recognition  of  his  many  valuable  contributions  to  our  knowledge  of 
American  ichthyology. 

593.  Sphoeroides  angusticeps  (Jenyns). 

Tetrodon  angusticeps  Jenyns,  in  Darwin,  Zool.  Voy.  Beagle,  Pt.  IV, 
Fish,  1842,  154,  PI.  XXVIII  (Galapagos  Islands)  ;  Jordan  &  Gil- 
bert, Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  631  (Panama). 
Anchisomus  angusticeps  Richardson,   in   Forbes,  Zool.   Voy.  Herald, 

1854,  159. 

Spheroides  angusticeps  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
1889,  183  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  1731 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 
1904,  156. 

"Head  2^;  depth  3^  (when  not  inflated).  D.  8;  A.  7.  Body 
comparatively  elongate,  the  snout  very  long,  concave  in  profile,  a  little 
longer  than  rest  of  head;  eye  large,  2  to  3  in  snout.  A  well-marked 
pair  of  small  dermal  flaps,  black  in  color,  i  on  each  side  of  median  line 
of  back,  behind  the  occiput,  and  just  behind  gill  opening,  the  two  close 
together;  interorbital  area  very  narrow,  deeply  concave,  channel-like, 
not  so  broad  as  eye,  the  width  of  its  bony  part  6*/2  in  snout,  about  12 
in  head ;  supraorbital  bone  prominent.  Sides  with  a  few  small  whitish 
dermal  cirri  or  flattish  flaps,  irregular  in  size  and  position,  sometimes 
wanting;  our  adult  examples  (Galapagos  Islands)  entirely  smooth,  the 
skin  everywhere  rough  velvety ;  nostrils  tubular,  with  2  lateral  openings 
near  the  summit.  Caudal  gently  rounded,  the  middle  rays  longest;  a 
slight  trace  of  fold  on  caudal  peduncle;  pectoral  broad,  rounded,  the 
upper  rays  longest.  Skin  on  back  and  sides  tending  to  form  oblique 
lengthwise  wrinkles.  Color  of  adult,  dark  smoky  gray,  nearly  uniform, 
the  belly  scarcely  pale;  base  of  fins  dusky;  no  trace  of  lateral  blotches. 
Pacific  coast,  from  La  Paz  to  the  Galapagos  Islands ;  rather  rare.  Here 
described  from  2  adult  examples  (9  and  10  inches  long)  from  Chatham 
Island  of  the  Galapagos.  One  of  these  has  the  eye  larger,  the  snout 
shorter,  and  the  interorbital  space  much  deeper  than  the  other,  a 
difference  perhaps  sexual.  Both  are  uniformly  colored  and  without 
prickles."  (Jordan  &  Evermann.) 

This  species  has  not  been  taken  in  Panama  Bay  by  recent  collectors. 
We  have  examined  a  specimen  255  mm.  in  length  from  the  Galapagos 
Islands.  The  extremely  long  snout,  with  the  notably  concave  upper 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       821 

profile,  and  the  narrow  and  deeply  concave  interorbital  readily  separate 
this  species  from  all  others  occurring  on  the  coasts  of  Panama. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama  Bay  and  from  the 
Galapagos  Islands. 

594.  Sphoeroides  fiirthii  (Steindachner). 

Tetrodon  fiirthii  Steindachner,   (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,  LXXIV) 

Ichth.  Beitr.,  V,  1876,  22  (Panama). 

Tetrodon  furthi  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  393  (Panama). 
Spheroides  furthi  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1737;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  158. 

Head  2.3  to  2.5 ;  depth  2.5  to  2.95 ;  D.  8 ;  A.  6. 

Body  moderately  robust ;  head  short ;  snout  blunt,  2.6  to  3.3 ;  eye  2.7 
to  3.3;  interorbital  (bone)  5.25  to  5.7;  skin  on  dorsal  surface  from 
interorbital  nearly  to  origin  of  dorsal  prickly,  the  chest  and  abdomen 
also  rough,  the  rest  of  the  body  smooth;  dorsal  fin  far  back,  its  origin 
about  equidistant  from  anterior  margin  of  eye  and  tip  of  upper  lobe 
of  caudal ;  caudal  fin  moderate,  its  posterior  margin  concave,  the  upper 
lobe  slightly  the  longer;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  its  origin  under 
base  of  last  ray  of  the  dorsal;  pectoral  fins  broad,  the  upper  rays 
longest,  2  to  2.1  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol:  Back  rather  brownish,  with  large  dark  blotches 
nearly  as  wide  as  the  back;  the  sides  light  brown;  the  abdomen  pale; 
the  fins  all  colorless. 

There  are  3  specimens  of  this  rare  species  at  hand,  respectively  33, 
34  and  41  mm.  in  length,  collected  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie  at  Chame 
Point.  This  species  is  characterized  by  the  short  snout,  narrow  inter- 
orbital and  the  concave  caudal  fin. 

Known  from  Panama  to  Guayaquil,  Ecuador.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Chame  Point. 

212.  Genus  Guentheridia  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Guentheridia  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  158 

(type  Tetrodon  formosus  Giinther). 

This  genus  differs  from  Sphoeroides  in  the  structure  of  the  olfactory 
organ,  which  is  a  transversely  placed  tube,  open  at  each  end  to  its  full 
diameter.  The  outer  end  is  squarely,  the  inner  obliquely,  truncate, 
making  the  upper  margin  of  the  tube  very  narrow.  The  inner  surface 
of  the  tube  is  closely  covered  with  Cup-shaped  pits,  visible  to  the  naked 
eye. 


822     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

595.  Guentheridia  formosa  (Giinther). 

Tetrodon  formosus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  283 

(South  America). 
Spheroides  formosus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1736;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp. 

Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  165  (Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay). 
Guentheridia  formosa  Gilbert  &  Starks,   Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  159   (Panama). 

Head  2.65  to  3 ;  depth  normally  3.1  to  4.2;  D.  7  or  8;  A.  6. 

Body  robust;  head  low  and  broad,  notably  broader  than  deep; 
snout  rather  short,  2.55  to  2.7  in  head;  eye  5.1  to  7.1;  interorbital 
(bone)  broad,  convex,  2.5  to  3.6;  skin  on  back  and  abdomen  with 
prickles,  these  much  more  prominent  on  some  specimens  than  on 
others ;  no  cirri ;  dorsal  fin  inserted  about  an  eye's  diameter  nearer 
tip  of  caudal  than  eye ;  caudal  fin  nearly  straight  posteriorly,  the  lower 
lobe  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  inserted  just  behind 
vertical  from  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal;  pectoral  fins  broad,  2  to  2.3 
in  head. 

Color  very  dark  on  back;  lower  parts  pale  or  dusky;  the  yellowish 
markings  on  the  back  variable;  the  smaller  specimens  with  cross- 
lines  on  head  and  concentric  rings,  inclosing  smaller  rings  on  back 
and  more  or  less  definite  reticulations  on  sides.  In  some  of  our  larger 
specimens  these  lines  are  broken  up  into  spots,  with  only  a  slight 
indication  of  concentric  arrangement.  The  pale  yellow  color  predomi- 
nates in  the  largest  specimens  on  which  the  ground  color  as  well  the 
lines  are  broken  up  into  spots.  The  caudal  fin  is  mostly  or  entirely 
dusky;  the  other  fins  are  plain  greenish. 

Fifteen  specimens  of  this  rather  common  species  were  preserved. 
No  young  were  seen.  Our  specimens  range  in  length  from  158  to 
265  mm.  This  species  is  most  like  5*.  annulatus,  from  which  it,  how- 
ever, may  be  distinguished  by  the  different  nasal  development,  broader 
and  lower  head,  shorter  snout,  and  the  broader  and  notably  convex 
interorbital. 

Known  from  "South  America"  and  Panama.  Two  of  our  speci- 
mens are  from  Chame  Point,  the  others  from  the  rocky  islands  near 
Balboa  and  Panama  City. 

213.  Genus  Tetraodon  Linnaeus. 

Tetraodon  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,   1758,  332   (type  Tetraodon 
lineatus  Linnaeus). 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       823 

Ovoides  Cuvier,  Lee.  d'Anat.  Comp.,  I,  1800,  Tabl.  4  (type  Ovoides 

fasciatus  Lacepede). 

Body  rather  robust;  nostril  on  each  side  with  a  tentacle,  bifid  to 
the  base,  its  tips  without  opening,  the  branches  of  the  large  olfactory 
nerve  ending  in  cup-like  depressions  along  the  inner  edges  of  the 
2  flattish  lobes ;  skin  usually  more  or  less  prickly ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins 
rounded,  each  with  7  to  14  rays ;  dorsal  more  or  less  in  advance  of 
anal ;  caudal  rounded.  The  genus  is  distinguished  from  Sphceroides 
by  the  bifid  nasal  tentacle.  It  is  represented  in  Panama  Bay  by  a 
single  species  which  is  of  wide  distribution. 

596.  Tetraodon  hispidus  Linnaeus. 

Tetraodon  hispidus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  333   (India)  ; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  159  (Panama 

Bay) ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV, 

1912,  165  (Naos  Island,  Panama  Bay). 
Tetraodon  perspicillaris  Ruppell,  Atlas  Reise   Nord.  Afrika,  Fische, 

1828,63  (Red  Sea). 
Tetrodon  implutus  Jenyns,  in  Darwin,  J2ool.  Voy.  Beagle,  Pt.  IV,  Fish, 

1842,  152  (Keeling  Island). 
Tetrodon  laterna  Richardson,  in  Hinds,  Voy.  Sulphur,  Ichth.,  1845,  I24» 

PI.  LXI,  fig.  2. 
Arothron  erethizon  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,   1882, 

631   (Panama). 
Ovoides  erethizon  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1739- 

Head  2.25  to  2.8;  depth  2  to  2.85;  D.  9  to  n  ;  A.  9  or  10. 

Body  rather  stout,  compressed;  head  large;  snout  moderate,  2  to 
2.6  in  head;  eye  3.1  to  3.75;  interorbital  (bone)  concave,  2.35  to  3.45; 
mouth  quite  small,  terminal ;  lips  more  or  less  thickened  in  adult, 
papillose  or  plicate ;  jaws  beak-like,  each  with  a  median  suture ;  gill- 
slit  equal  to  or  longer  than  longest  diameter  of  eye;  body  with  or 
without  spines  or  prickles,  their  number  and  length  variable,  prominent 
when  the  belly  is  inflated,  when  retracted  their  position  is  indicated 
only  by  pores  in  the  skin ;  very  young  (20  mm.)  with  numerous  dermal 
tentacles,  these  apparently  replaced  by  spines  with  age;  dorsal  and 
anal  similar,  the  origin  of  the  anal  immediately  behind  base  of  dorsal; 
caudal  fin  slightly  convex,  equal  to  or  longer  than  snout ;  pectoral  fins 
short  and  broad,  the  posterior  margin  convex,  the  upper  part  of  fin 
longest,  2.1  to  2.8  in  head. 


824     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Color  of  our  smallest  specimen  (20  mm.)  black,  no  pale  spots 
above,  the  belly  with  white  spots.  A  larger  specimen  (50  mm.)  is  also 
black,  but  it  has  pale,  lengthwise  streaks,  slightly  broader  than  the 
black  interspaces  on  the  abdomen ;  caudal  fin  black,  the  other  fins  pale 
green.  Large  specimens  (230  to  330  mm.)  are  dark  brown  above, 
some  of  them  having  the  upper  parts  spotted  with  white  from  the 
tip  of  the  snout  to  the  end  of  the  caudal  fin,  others  have  the  white 
spots  wanting  on  the  head  and  still  others  have  spots  only  on  the 
posterior  part  of  the  body  and  not  extending  on  the  caudal  fin.  The 
lower  parts  are  pale  and  in  a  few  specimens  without  markings,  others 
have  indications  of  dusky  streaks  and  still  others  have  definite  dark 
longitudinal  bands.  The  dorsal  and  anal  are  greenish  and  in  the  profusely 
spotted  specimens  they  usually  bear  a  few  white  spots  on  the  base ; 
caudal  fin  of  about  the  same  color  as  the  upper  part  of  body,  with  or 
without  white  spots;  pectorals  greenish,  the  basal  portion  dusky  or 
black,  inserted  in  a  large  black  area  which  usually  is  more  or  less 
definitely  surrounded  by  i  and  rarely  2  white  circles. 

Sixteen  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  20  to  330  mm.,  were 
preserved.  The  species  is  not  uncommon  about  the  rocky  islands 
near  Balboa  and  Panama  City.  A  large  amount  of  variation  relative 
to  the  abundance  and  size  of  the  spines  on  the  body  appears  to  prevail. 
Gilbert  and  Starks  (1904)  state:  "The  long  quill-like  spines  protrude 
only  when  the  fish  is  inflated.  When  retracted,  the  position  of  the 
spines  is  indicated  by  the  pores  in  the  skin."  This  is  true  of  specimens 
ihaving  spines,  but  we  have  2  individuals  that  are  inflated  and  yet 
perfectly  smooth,  without  indications  of  spines,  except  in  advance  of 
vent.  It  is  probable  that  the  presence  or  absence  of  spines  is  corre- 
lated with  sex,  as  indicated  by  a  limited  number  of  dissections,  the 
spineless  individuals  being  females.  Much  variation  in  color  is  also 
evident  and  these  differences  do  not  seem  to  be  as  closely  correlated 
with  age  and  size  as  stated  in  published  accounts.  Our  largest  speci- 
men (330  mm.),  for  example,  has  rather  definite  indications  of  dark 
lengthwise  streaks  on  lower  part  of  sides  and  it  has  white  spots  only 
on  the  posterior  part  of  the  body.  Another  specimen  (275  mm.)  has 
definite  longitudinal  bands  on  the  abdomen,  and  on  back  and  sides  it 
is  rather  profusely  spotted.  Still  another  specimen  (270  mm.)  has 
no  lengthwise  streaks  below,  and  on  the  back  and  sides  it  is  profusely 
spotted.  Molluscs  form,  at  least,  a  part  of  the  food  of  this  fish  which, 
because  of  the  strong  jaws,  it  is  well  able  to  crush. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       825 

A  widely  distributed  species,  occurring  in  the  Indian  Ocean  and 
the  tropical  Pacific.  Our  specimens  were  taken  about  the  rocky  islands 
near  Balboa. 

214.  Genus  Canthigaster  Swainson. 

Canthigaster  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  194  (type 

Tetrodon  rostratus  Bloch). 
Eumycterias  Jenkins,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIX,  1899  (1901),  399 

(type  Eumycterias  bitceniatus  Jenkins). 

Body  moderately  elongate ;  the  back  compressed  and  produced  into 
a  short  prominence  about  midway  between  the  eyes  and  origin  of 
dorsal;  snout  quite  long  and  pointed;  nostrils  with  a  single  opening 
on  each  side.  A  single  species  is  known  from  Panama. 

597.  Canthigaster  punctatissimus  (Gunther). 

Tetrodon  punctatissimus  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1670, 

302  (Panama). 
Tetrodon  oxyrhynchus  Lockington,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1881, 

116  (Gulf  of  California). 
Psilonotus  punctatissimus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1882  (1883),  370. 
Canthigaster  punctatissimus   Jordan   &  Edwards,   Proc.   U.   S.   Nat. 

Mus.,  1886,  246;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1741. 
Eumycterias  punctatissimus  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci., 

IV,  1904,  160,  PI.  XXIII,  fig.  46;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir. 

Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  166  (Taboguilla  Island;  Perico 

Island,  Panama  Bay;  and  Acapulco  and  Chatham  islands). 

Head  2.5  to  2.6;  depth  2.3  to  2.8;  D.  9  or  10;  A.  9. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  the  back  elevated;  profile  a  little  concave 
over  snout;  head  rather  large;  snout  slender,  1.55  to  1.65  in  head; 
eye  3.8  to  4.15;  interorbital  (bone)  3.5  to  3.8;  mouth  very  small, 
terminal ;  the  skin  of  snout,  chin  and  interorbital  more  or  less  prickly, 
one  specimen  only  with  prickles  on  back  to  dorsal  fin,  skin  otherwise 
smooth ;  dorsal  fin  situated  posteriorly,  its  origin  a  little  nearer  anterior 
margin  of  eye  than  tip  of  tail,  its  margin  round;  caudal  fin  rather 
short,  moderately  convex ;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  its  origin  slightly 
behind  vertical  from  base  of  last  ray  of  dorsal;  pectoral  fins  short, 
with  emarginate  margin,  the  upper  rays  longest,  2.3  to  2.4  in  head. 


826     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Color  grayish  brown  above,  somewhat  paler  below ;  sides  with  many 
round,  green  spots  nearly  as  large  as  pupil ;  these  spots  becoming  smaller 
on  the  back  where  they  are  bright  blue;  abdomen  unspotted;  fins  all 
plain. 

This  fish,  reported  not  rare  by  Gilbert  &  Starks  (1904),  is  repre- 
sented in  the  present  collection  by  only  3  small  specimens,  respectively, 
55,  60  and  64  mm.  in  length.  It  is  a  very  pretty  little  fish  and  it  is 
readily  distinguished  by  the  bright  green  and  blue  spots  on  the  body. 
It  lives  among  the  rocky  islands  in  Panama  Bay. 

Known  from  Acapulco,  Chatham  Island  and  Panama  Bay.  Our 
specimens  are  from  Taboga  Island  and  Balboa. 

Family  LXX.    Diodontidae. 

THE  PORCUPINE  FISHES. 

Body  short,  depressed  above;  belly  moderately  inflatable;  mouth 
moderate,  terminal;  jaws  with  bony  plate  like  the  beak  of  a  bird, 
these  not  divided  in  middle  by  suture;  nostril  on  each  side  forming 
a  short  tentacle,  usually  with  2  openings ;  gill-opening  moderate,  placed 
immediately  in  front  of  pectoral;  body  everywhere  with  bony  spines 
except  on  snout,  chin  and  caudal  peduncle ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  placed 
posteriorly,  similar  and  nearly  opposite  each  other;  ventral  fins  want- 
ing; pectoral  fins  short  and  broad.  The  species  of  this  family  are 
sluggish  fishes,  living  among  weeds  and  sometimes  among  rocks  and 
corals  in  the  warm  seas.  They  are  capable  of  inflating  themselves 
either  with  air  or  water  and  when  inflated  the  spines  are  all  directed 
outward.  In  such  a  condition  even  a  small  porcupine  fish  could  not 
easily  be  devoured  by  a  moderately  large  predacious  fish. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Dermal  ossifications  consisting  of  slender,  stiff,  pointed,  mov- 
able spines.  Diodon,  p.  826. 

aa.  Dermal  ossifications  consisting  of  short,  stiff,  immovable 
spines.  Chilomycterus ,  p.  83 1 . 

215.  Genus  Diodon  Linnaeus. 

Diodon  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  334  (type  Diodon  hystrix 

Linnaeus ) . 
Paradiodon  Bleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  II,  1865,  271  (type  Diodon 

hystrix  Linnaeus). 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       827 

Body  robust,  the  belly  moderately  inflatable;  head  short,  broad; 
both  jaws  entire ;  nasal  tube  simple,  with  2  lateral  openings ;  body 
everywhere  with  strong,  stiff  dermal  spines ;  dorsal  and  anal  similar, 
posteriorly  inserted ;  caudal  fin  rounded ;  ventral  fins  wanting ;  pectoral 
fins  broad,  the  posterior  margin  truncate,  the  upper  lobe  longest. 

KEY   TO   THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Spines  of  moderate  length,  the  frontal  spines  equal  to  or  shorter 
than  the  post-pectoral  ones.  hystrix,  p.  827. 

aa.  Spines  longer,  the  frontal  spines  longer  than  the  post-pectoral 
ones.  holacanthus,  p.  829. 

598.  Diodon  hystrix  Linnaeus. 

Diodon   hystrix   Linnaeus,    Syst.    Nat.,    Ed.    X,    1758,    335    (India)  ; 

Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  306;  Jordan  &  Ever- 

mann,.Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1745,  PI.  CCLXVI,  fig. 

648;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama). 
Diodon  atinga  Bloch,  Naturg.  Ausl.  Fische,  I,  1785,  67,  PI.  CXXV  (not 

of  Linnaeus). 
Diodon  brachiatus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  513  (Cuba; 

after  Parra). 
Diodon  punctatus  Cuvier,  Memoir.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV,  1818, 

132  (no  locality  given) . 
Diodon  echinus  Rafinesque,  in  Bonaparte,  (Cat.  Met.  Pesci  Eur.)  Atti 

Sci.  Ital.,  1845,  87  (Mediterranean  Sea). 

Head  2.2  to  2.4;  depth  2.45  to  3;  D.  13  or  14;  A.  12  or  13. 

Body  robust,  normally  (when  not  inflated)  rather  broader  than 
deep;  head  depressed,  notably  broader  than  deep;  snout  very  short, 
not  greatly  in  advance  of  forehead,  2.8  to  3.1  in  head ;  orbit  2.85  to  3.45 ; 
interorbital  very  broad,  gently  concave,  1.4  to  1.5  ;  mouth  rather  broad; 
lips  thick,  especially  in  adult,  plicate;  jaws  entire,  with  notches  and 
tubercles  on  margins;  gill-slit  not  longer  than  eye;  spines  moderate, 
the  free  portion  proportionately  shorter  in  the  adult  than  in  the  young, 
the  embedded  portion  longer,  usually  exceeding  in  length  the  free 
part,  the  postpectoral  spines  greatly  exceeding  in  length  the  frontal 
spines  (Our  largest  specimen  has  spines  on  the  caudal  peduncle;  one 
pair  well  beyond  the  base  of  the  anal  and  2  pairs  and  an  odd  one  on 
upper  surface  of  the  peduncle,  the  latter  reaching  nearly  to  base  of 
caudal.  These  spines  are  wanting  in  other  specimens  examined.)  ; 
spines  distinctly  3-rooted  and  movable;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  similar, 
placed  far  back ;  the  dorsal  inserted  a  little  in  advance  of  the  anal,  the 


828     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

origin  of  the  latter  falling  under  the  middle  of  the  base  of  the  former ; 
these  fins  about  equally  elevated,  the  longest  rays  about  equal  to  the 
longest  rays  of  pectoral ;  caudal  fin  scarcely  longer  than  pectorals, 
rounded ;  pectoral  fins  broad,  slightly  truncate  posteriorly,  the  upper 
lobe  the  longest,  1.65  to  2.33  in  head,  rays  20  or  21. 

Color  of  our  largest  specimen  (362  mm.)  in  alcohol  olivaceous 
above,  pale  below ;  back,  sides,  snout  and  fins  everywhere  with  round 
black  spots,  these  smallest  on  snout ;  a  dusky  bar  across  chin  and 
extending  backward  on  each  side  to  below  base  of  pectorals.  A 
smaller  specimen  (170  mm.)  has  a  broad  black  bar  across  interorbital 
and  continued  a  short  distance  below  eye,  another  broad  bar  across 
occiput ;  a  large  black  blotch  above  and  behind  base  of  each  pectoral ; 
a  still  larger  black  blotch  on  middle  of  back,  situated  a  little  posterior 
to  the  blotches  above  and  back  of  base  of  pectorals ;  another  large 
black  blotch  in  front  of  and  around  base  of  dorsal ;  an  irregular  black 
blotch  on  side  behind  tips  of  pectoral  rays;  a  few  small  round  black 
spots  on  snout  and  larger  black  spots  behind  the  spines,  both  above 
and  on  belly ;  no  spots  on  fins,  the  dorsal  and  caudal  each  with  a  dusky 
intramarginal  band. 

The  above  description  is  based  on  2  specimens,  170  and  362  mm. 
in  length,  taken  at  Taboga  Island.  As  indicated  in  the  foregoing  de- 
scription, these  specimens  are  neither  identical  in  color,  nor  wholly 
alike  in  the  length  and  position  of  the1  spines.  From  an  examination  of 
published  accounts  and  specimens  in  the  National  Museum  collection, 
it  is  apparent  that  these  specimens  represent  the  form  or  forms  which 
recent  ichthyologists,  at  least,  have  regarded  as  hystrix.  We  also 
have  21  specimens  from  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama,  ranging  in 
length  from  80  to  140  mm.,  which  do  not  appear  to  be  identical  with 
the  Pacific  specimens  already  described,  but  which  we  are  unable  to 
place  with  any  other  known  form.  The  genus  stands  in  need  of 
thorough  study  and  revision  and,  to  add  another  name  to  the  numerous 
ones  which  have  already  been  applied  to  the  various  forms  of  the 
genus  from  all  over  the  world,  would  merely  add  to  the  confusion. 
We,  therefore,  refer  these  specimens  to  the  present  species  with  the 
following  characterization  of  the  specimens  : 

Head  2.3  to  2.55;  depth  2.5  to  2.95;  D.  n  or  12;  A.  n  or  12. 

Body  normally  (when  not  inflated)  broader  than  deep;  head  quite 
broad,  depressed:  snout  short,  little  exserted,  3.25  to  3.9  in  head;  eye 
2.5  to  2.9;  interorbital  broad,  slightly  concave,  1.9  to  2.4;  mouth  rather 
broad,  terminal ;  lips  thickened,  plicate ;  jaws  entire,  the  margins 
slightly  notched ;  gill-slit  a  little  shorter  than  eye ;  spines  of  moderate 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       829 

length,  distinctly  3-rooted  and  movable ;  the  frontal  and  postpectoral 
spines  usually  of  equal  length  or  the  latter  slightly  longer ;  no  spines  on 
caudal  peduncle;  few  dermal  flaps  variously  distributed  over  back  and 
sides  of  body ;  dorsal  and  anal  similar,  placed  far  back ;  the  origin  of 
the  anal  under  about  the  middle  of  the  base  of  dorsal;  the  dorsal  fin 
slightly  longer  and  higher,  the  longest  rays  about  equal  to  the  length  of 
the  longest  rays  of  the  pectoral;  caudal  fin  distinctly  rounded,  slightly 
longer  than  the  pectorals;  pectoral  fins  broad,  the  posterior  margin 
straight  or  slightly  concave,  the  upper  lobe  longest,  1.8  to  1.95  in  head, 
rays  19  to  22. 

Color  pale  to  dark  olivaceous  above,  white  or  dusky  below ;  a  black 
bar  on  interorbital  extending  across  eye  to  cheek,  this  bar  often  in- 
terrupted on  median  line ;  another  black  bar  at  occiput ;  a  large  black 
blotch  above  and  behind  base  of  each  pectoral;  a  large  black  cross- 
blotch  on  middle  of  back  posterior  to  the  black  blotches  above  and 
behind  base  of  pectorals;  another  large  black  blotch  in  front  and 
around  base  of  dorsal ;  usually  also  with  a  black  blotch  behind  tips  of 
pectorals.  The  back  and  sides  are  covered  with  small  round  spots 
that  are  variously  distributed  and  that  do  not  always  occur  in  the 
axil  of  the  spines  and  not  at  all  on  the  chest  and  abdomen.  The  spots 
vary  in  number  and  size  among  individuals,  usually  being  most  numer- 
ous on  the  lighter  colored  specimens ;  fins  all  pale  green,  unmarked. 

It  will  be  noticed  from  the  foregoing  descriptions  that  the  Atlantic 
coast  specimens  have  the  frontal  spines  longer  in  comparison  with  the 
postpectoral  spines,  the  dorsal  fin  appears  to  be  composed  of  fewer 
rays,  and  there  is  a  difference  in  color  which,  however,  may  not  be  of 
any  specific  value.  We  do  not  find  that  the  proportionate  length  of 
the  spines  varies  greatly  with  age  or  that  the  frontal  spines  become 
proportionately  shorter  with  age  when  compared  with  the  postpectoral 
ones.  The  free  part  of  the  spines,  however,  is  shorter  and  the  em- 
bedded portion  longer  in  the  adult. 

Recorded  from  all  warm  seas.  Our  specimens  from  the  Pacific 
are  from  Taboga  Island  and  our  Atlantic  specimens  are  from  Colon. 

599.  Diodon  holacanthus  Linnaeus. 

Diodon  holocanthus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  335  (India; 
based  on  Ostracion  oblongus  holocanthus  Artedi ;  misprint  for 
holacanthus)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  1746;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  160 

(Panama). 


830     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Erizo  guanabana  Parra,  Desc.  Piezas  de  Hist.  Nat.,  1787,  62,  PI.  XXIX, 

fig.  3  (Havana). 
Diodon  liturosus  Shaw,  Gen.  Zool.,  V,  Part  II,  1804,  436  (after  Diodon 

tachete  Lacepede). 
Diodon  spinosissimus  Cuvier,  Memoir.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV,  1818, 

134  (no  locality). 
Diodon  novemmaculatus  Cuvier,  Memoir.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV, 

1818,  136,  PI.  VI  (no  locality). 
Diodon  sexmaculatus  Cuvier,  Memoir.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV,  1818, 

136,  PI.  VII  (no  locality). 
Diodon  multimaculatus  Cuvier,  Memoir.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV, 

1818,  136  (no  locality). 
Diodon  quadrhnaculatus  Cuvier,  Memoir.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV, 

1818,  137,  PI.  VI  (Otaiti). 

Diodon  melanopsis  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXI,  Pt.  I,  1855,  228. 
Paradiodon  quadrimaculatus  Bleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  II,  1865, 

271. 
Diodon  mactdatus  var.  a,  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870, 

307  (St.  Croix,  Jamaica,  Panama,  South  America,  Sandwich  Islands, 

China,   Sooloo  Sea,   Indian  Ocean;  based  on  Diodon  tachete  La- 
cepede). 

Head  2  to  2.55 ;  depth  2.2  to  2.9;  D.  13  or  14;  A.  1 1  or  12. 

Body  normally  (when  not  inflated)  notably  broader  than  deep; 
head  broad,  depressed ;  snout  little  exserted,  2.55  to  4.05  in  head ;  eye 
2.45  to  4.05;  interorbital  broad,  gently  concave,  1.45  to  1.7;  mouth 
rather  broad ;  jaws  entire,  the  margins  more  or  less  notched ;  lips 
rather  thick,  slightly  plicate;  gill-slit  scarcely  as  long  as  eye;  spines 
long,  3-rooted  and  movable;  the  frontal  spines  very  long,  much  longer 
than  the  postpectoral  ones;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  similar,  placed  far 
back;  the  origin  of  the  anal  under  middle  of  base  of  dorsal;  these  fins 
about  equally  elevated,  the  longest  rays  scarcely  as  long  as  the  longest 
pectoral  rays;  caudal  fin  rounded,  a  little  longer  than  the  pectorals; 
pectoral  fins  broad,  the  posterior  margins  truncate,  the  Upper  lobe  the 
longer,  1.6  to  2.05  in  head,  rays  21  to  23. 

Color  in  alcohol  pale  to  dark  olivaceous  above,  white  or  dusky  below ; 
a  black  bar  on  interorbital,  extending  below  eye  on  cheek,  usually  pres- 
ent ;  this  bar  rarely  continuous,  being  more  often  broken  on  median  line 
of  head ;  a  second  black  cross-bar  at  occiput ;  a  large  black  blotch  above 
and  behind  base  of  pectorals;  another  black  cross-blotch  farther  pos- 
teriorly on  back  and  a  large  black  blotch  in  front  and  around  base  of 
dorsal;  some  specimens  with  the  snout  or  the  lower  parts  or  both  un- 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       831 

spotted ;  more  usually  the  body,  except  head  and  chest,  covered  with 
black  spots,  smallest  on  the  snout,  occurring  most  frequently  in  the  axil 
of  the  spines  on  the  lower  parts ;  the  spots  largest  behind  pectoral  fins, 
there  on  some  individuals  becoming  confluent  and  forming  an  irregular 
blotch ;  the  fins  pale  greenish,  unspotted. 

This  species  is  represented  by  59  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  80  to  175  mm.  This  fish  was  not  seen  often,  but  on  February  5, 
1912,  it  was  extremely  abundant  around  Naos  Island  and  numerous 
specimens  were  taken  in  every  seine  haul.  The  fish  occurring  in  this 
"school"  ranged  in  length  from  80  to  135  mm.,  and,  while  they  varied 
considerably  in  color,  they  were  quite  uniform  in  other  respects.  The 
spines  are  very  long,  the  frontal  spines  greatly  exceeding  in  length  the 
postpectoral  spines.  The  specimens  taken  at  Naos  Island  appear  to 
represent  the  extreme  type  of  those  forms  which  have  been  referred 
to  holacanthus.  We  have  another  lot  of  specimens  taken  near  Balboa, 
ranging  in  length  from  80  to  175  mm.,  which  have  somewhat  shorter 
spines,  the  frontal  spines  being  only  a  little  longer  than  the  postpectoral 
ones.  These  specimens,  with  respect  to  the  development  of  the 
spines,  approach  our  Atlantic  coast  specimens  which  we  have  provision- 
ally referred  to  D.  hystrix.  The  Pacific  specimens,  however,  all  appear 
to  be  uniform  in  having  one  more  ray  in  the  dorsal  fin  and  in  having  a 
somewhat  broader  interorbital  than  the  Atlantic  specimens. 

Known  from  all  warm  seas.  Our  specimens  are  from  Naos  Island 
and  Balboa. 

216.  Genus  Chilomycterus  Bibron. 

Chilomycterus  Bibron,  in  Brisout  de  Barneville,  Revue  Zoologique,  1846, 

140  (type  Diodon  reticulatus  Linnaeus). 
Cyclichthys  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXI,  1855,  231  (type  Diodon  orbic- 

ularis  Bloch). 
Cyanichthys  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXI,  1855,  23J  (tyPe  Cyanichthys 

cceruleus  Kaup). 

Body  broad,  depressed,  more  or  less  inflatable;  nasal  tube  simple, 
with  2  lateral  openings;  dermal  spines  3-rooted,  immovable,  and  tri- 
angular; caudal  peduncle  short;  teeth  on  jaws  without  median  suture. 

KEY    TO   THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Supraorbital  ridge  little  elevated;  a  prominent  spine  on  middle 
of  forehead;  a  large  prominent  black  spot  on  nape;  a  large 
black  spot  at  origin  of  dorsal,  involving  a  part  of  the  base  of 
fin.  antennatus,  p.  832. 


832     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

aa.  Supraorbital  ridge  notably  elevated ;  prominent  spine  on  middle 
of  forehead  wanting;  no  blotch  on  nape;  a  large  black  spot 
behind  pectoral,  and  one  on  each  side  of  dorsal,  spinosus,  p.  832. 

600.  Chilomycterus  antennatus  (Cuvier). 

Diodon  antennatus  Cuvier,  Mem.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  IV,  1818,  131, 
PL  VII. 

Chilomycterus  antennatus  Kaup,  Archiv.   Naturg.,  XXI,    1855,  232; 

Gtinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII,  1870,  311;  Jordan  &  Ever- 

mann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1750;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac. 

Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136  (Colon). 
Chilomycterus  puncticulatus  Poey,  Anal.  Soc.  Espafi.  Hist.  Nat.,  X,  1881, 

346  (Porto  Rico). 

Head  2.05  to  2.5;  depth  1.9  to  2.6;  D.  10  to  12;  A.  10  or  n. 

Body  oblong,  depressed ;  head  notably  broader  than  deep ;  snout 
very  short,  not  much  in  advance  of  the  forehead,  3  to  4.5  in  head; 
eye  2.9  to  3.65;  interorbital  (bone)  1.95  to  3.55  in  head;  mouth  small, 
transverse;  the  spines  of  the  back  strong,  fixed,  those  of  the  abdomen 
more  or  less  retractile ;  2  spines  on  supraorbital  with  a  long  dermal 
tentacle  between  them ;  a  short  stiff  spine  on  middle  of  forehead ;  a  row 
of  tentacles  along  lower  lateral  margin  of  head  and  2  on  each  side 
somewhat  in  advance  of  vent;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  similar  and  opposite 
each  other,  each  with  strongly  convex  margin;  caudal  fin  moderate, 
rounded ;  pectoral  fins  broad,  slightly  emarginate,  the  upper  rays  longest, 
2  to  2.6  in  head. 

Color  of  fresh  specimens :  Back  olive-green ;  abdomen  deep  red  to 
brownish;  a  large  black  spot  in  middle  of  nape;  a  large  elongate  spot 
above  base  of  pectoral ;  a  large  black  spot  before  and  along  anterior  part 
of  base  of  dorsal ;  head  and  chest  usually  with  many  black  dots ;  the  black 
dots  in  some  specimens  much  more  numerous  than  in  others,  covering 
nearly  the  entire  body ;  the  fins  all  yellowish  green. 

This  species  is  represented  by  17  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
40  to  1 55mm.;  all  taken  in  a  shallow,  grassy  bay  near  Colon.  It  is 
not  abundant  and  was  not  seen  elsewhere.  A  rather  unique,  pretty 
fish,  which  is  of  no  value  as  food. 

Known  from  the  West  Indies  southward ;  previously  recorded 
from  Porto  Rico,  Jamaica,  St.  Croix,  Trinidad  and  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope.  Our  specimens  are  from  Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

601.  Chilomycterus  spinosus   (Linnaeus). 

Diodon  spinosus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  335  ("India"). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       833 

Diodon  geometricus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,   1801,  513,  PI. 

XCVI  (America). 

Cyclichthys  cornutus  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXI,  1855,  231  (Bahia). 
Chilomycterus  geometricus  var.  y,  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  VIII, 

1870,  311  (type  of  Cyclichthys  cornutus  Kaup). 
Chilomycterus  spinosus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1749. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us,  but  its  distribution  indicates  that 
it  may  be  expected  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  Its  relationship 
is  imperfectly  understood,  but  it  seems  to  be  distinguished  from  C. 
antennatus  by  the  strongly  elevated  supraorbital  ridge;  by  the  large 
spot  behind  the  pectoral ;  by  2  large  black  spots,  one  on  each  side  of 
the  dorsal ;  and  by  the  absence  of  a  large  black  spot  on  middle  of  nape. 
In  structure  it  is  said  to  agree  with  C.  schcepfi,  a  more  northern  species, 
which,  however,  has  a  series  of  undulating  blackish  stripes  running 
from  the  nape  backward. 

Recorded  from  the  West  Indies  and  from  the  coast  of  Brazil. 

Family  LXXI.    Scorpaenidae. 

THE  ROCK-FISHES. 

Body  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed;  head  large,  with  one  or 
more  ridges  above,  terminating  in  spines ;  mouth  terminal,  usually 
large ;  teeth  villiform,  present  on  jaws  and  vomer  and  sometimes  on 
palatines;  premaxillaries  protractile;  maxillary  broad,  with  a  supple- 
mental bone ;  gill-openings  wide,  the  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus ; 
scales  rather  small,  ctenoid  or  cycloid;  lateral  line  single,  concurrent 
with  the  back ;  a  narrow  bony  stay  on  cheek ;  dorsal  fin  continuous, 
sometimes  quite  deeply  notched,  with  8  to  16  spines  and  about  an 
equal  number  of  soft  rays ;  anal  fin  with  3  spines  and  5  to  10  soft  rays ; 
ventral  fins  thoracic,  composed  of  I,  5  rays.  Two  genera  are  repre- 
sented in  the  Panama  collection. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.       Dorsal  spines  normally  12;  villiform  teeth  on  palatines. 

Scorpcena,  p.  833. 
aa.     Dorsal  spines  normally  1 3 ;  no  teeth  on  palatines. 

Scorpcenodes,  p.  845. 

217.  Genus  Scorpaena  Linnaeus. 

SCORPION  FISHES. 

Scorpana   Linnaeus,  Syst.   Nat.,   Ed.   X,    1758,   266    (type   Scorpana 
porcus  Linnaeus). 


834     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  oblong,  somewhat  compressed ;  head  large,  usually  not  much 
compressed,  more  or  less  uneven  with  spines,  mostly  scalelesSj  some- 
times with  dermal  flaps;  mouth  large,  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth 
on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines ;  scales  moderate  or  small,  ctenoid  or  cycloid, 
often  with  dermal  flaps ;  dorsal  fin  normally  with  12  strong  spines ;  the 
anal  with  3  strong  spines ;  ventrals  inserted  behind  pectorals ;  pectoral 
fins  large,  the  base  with  procurrent  rays,  some  or  all  of  the  upper  rays 
normally  divided.  The  dorsal  spines  are  capable  of  inflicting  a  painful 
sting-like  wound,  not  unlike  that  of  a  scorpion,  hence  the  name 
scorpion  fishes. 

KEY    TO   THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Occipital  pit  large,  well  developed. 

b.  A  distinct  pit  below  anterior  margin  of  eye ;  head  broad,  quite 
as  broad  as  deep. 

c.  Interorbital  area  broad,  4.2  to  5  in  head;  occipital  pit  very 
deep,  prominent;  axil  usually  black,  with  small  white  or  pale 
blue  spots.  plumieri,  p.  835. 

cc.  Interorbital  area  somewhat  narrower,  5.28  to  8.25  in  head; 
occipital  pit  shallow;  axil  brownish,  usually  with  a  large  black 
spot  and  no  pale  spots.  mystes,  p.  836. 

bb.  No  distinct  pit  under  anterior  margin  of  eye ;  head  not  broader 
than  deep. 

d.  Suborbital  stay  with  2  or  3  distinct  spines;  axil  of  pectoral 
either  with  dark  or  pale  bluish  spots. 

e.  Anal   spines  graduated,  the  third  anal  spine  longer  but  not 
stronger  than  the  second ;  occipital  pit  open  at  sides ;  scales 
small,  55  to  60;  axil  of  pectoral  pale,  with  small  round  dark 
spots.  brasiliensis,  p.  837. 

ee.  Anal  spines  not  graduated,  the  second  spine  longer  and  stronger 
than  the  third ;  occipital  pit  more  or  less  closed  at  sides ;  supra- 
orbital  tentacles  very  long,  always  longer  than  eye;  scales 
larger,  41  to  45 ;  axil  of  pectoral  gray,  with  very  small  bluish 
spots  enclosed  in  black  rings.  grandicornis,  p.  838. 

dd.  Suborbital  stay  without  spines  or  merely  ending  in  a  spine 
posteriorly;  no  distinct  spines  on  the  stay  under  the  eye;  axil 
of  pectoral  pale  or  cloudy,  not  spotted. 

f .  Suborbital  stay  ending  in  a  spine  posteriorly ;  a  large  dermal 
flap  present  above  base  of  pectoral ;  scales  moderate,  43  on  sides, 
many  of  them  bearing  dermal  flaps. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       835 

g.  Pectoral  rays  19  in  number,  the  lowest  8  simple,  the  next  10 
branched,  the  uppermost  one  simple;  maxillary  not  reaching 
posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.25  in  head ;  ventral  rays  reaching 
only  to  vent ;  a  distinct  dark  spot  on  side  behind  opercular  flap. 

pannosa,  p.  839. 

gg.  Pectoral  rays  20  in  number,  the  lowest  n  or  12  simple,  the 
next  7  or  8  branched,  the  uppermost  simple ;  maxillary  reaching 
beyond  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2  in  head ;  ventral  rays  reach- 
ing beyond  vent ;  no  distinct  dark  spot  on  side  behind  opercular 
flap.  histrio,  p.  840. 

ff.  Suborbital  stay  entirely  without  spines;  dermal  flap  above  base 
of  pectoral  obsolete;  scales  rather  small,  47;  dermal  flaps 
present  on  lateral  line;  pectoral  rays  18,  lower  10  simple,  the 
next  7  branched,  the  upper  one  simple. 

isthmensis  sp.  hov.,  p.  842. 

aa.  Occipital  pit  scarcely  developed,  represented  only  as  a  slight 
quadrate  depression. 

h.  Pectoral  fins  with  21  rays,  the  lower  14  simple,  the  next  6 
branched,  the  uppermost  one  simple;  longest  dorsal  spine  not 
as  high  as  the  longest  soft  rays ;  head  and  occiput  without 
dermal  flaps.  russula,  p.  843. 

hh.  Pectoral  fins  with  19  rays,  the  lower  16  simple,  the  next  2 
branched  and  the  uppermost  one  simple;  longest  dorsal  spine 
a  little  higher  than  the  longest  soft  rays;  head  and  occiput 
bearing  numerous  dermal  flaps.  colonensis  sp.  nov.,  p.  844. 

602.  Scorpaena  plumieri  Bloch. 

Scorpczna  plumieri  Bloch,  K.  Vet.  Ac.  Nya  Handl.,  X,  1789,  234  (Mar- 
tinique) ;  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  113;  Jordan  & 
Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1848. 
Scorpcena  bufo  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,   1829, 

306  (Martinique). 
Scorpana  rascacio  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  303  (Havana). 

Head  2.2  to  2.5;  depth  2.4  to  2.9;  D.  XII,  9  or  10;  A.  Ill,  5  or  6; 
scales  43  to  47. 

Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed ;  the  back  somewhat  elevated ; 
head  large,  usually  quite  as  broad  as  deep;  snout  short  and  blunt,  3.2 
to  3.8  in  head;  eye  3.6  to  5.5;  interorbital  4.2  to  5;  supraorbital  with 
high  ridge,  bearing  3  short  spines  and  usually,  although  not  always, 
a.  fringed  tentacle  about  as  long  as  eye  behind  the  second  spine;  a 
large  quadrate  pit  at  occiput ;  a  small  pit  below  and  in  front  of  eye ; 


836    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

suborbital  stay  continuous  or  with  spines;  preorbital  with  2  divergent 
spines;  a  small  spine  slightly  above  and  behind  each  anterior  nostril; 
occiput  with  two  series  of  spines ;  preopercle  with  4  or  5  spines ; 
opercle  with  2  strong  spines;  mouth  broad,  oblique;  maxillary  broad, 
reaching  beyond  middle  of  eye,  1.85  to  1.95  in  head;  teeth  in  villiform 
bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  gill-rakers  short  and  coarse, 
about  7  developed  on  the  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  rather  small, 
present  on  part  of  opercles  and  on  part  of  cheeks ;  breast  fully  scaled ; 
lateral  line  complete,  many  of  the  pores  with  short  dermal  flaps; 
dorsal  fin  continuous,  somewhat  notched,  its  origin  slightly  in  advance 
of  upper  anterior  angle  of  gill-opening,  the  spines  strong,  the  fourth 
the  longest,  longer  than  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  fin  moderate,  with  rounded 
margin ;  anal  fin  with  3  strong  spines,  the  second  the  largest,  longer  and 
stronger  than  the  largest  dorsal  spine ;  ventral  fins  inserted  a  little  behind 
base  of  pectorals,  reaching  beyond  vent ;  pectoral  fins  rather  large,  with 
broad  bases,  the  lower  rays  decreasing  rapidly  in  length,  1.4  to  1.7  in 
head. 

Color  dark  brown  above,  paler  below  (chest  and  belly  red  in  life)  ; 
sides  with  large  dark  blotches,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  bars,  the 
last  one  on  base  of  caudal  being  narrow,  quite  distinct  and  forked  on 
lower  half  of  peduncle;  the  fins  dark,  with  pale  spots;  the  soft  dorsal, 
caudal  and  anal  with  bars ;  axil  of  pectoral  usually  black,  with  white  or 
pale  blue  spots. 

This  species  is  represented  by  23  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
75  to  260  mm.  It  is  not  abundant,  although  rather  common,  and  it 
lives  in  shallow  water  usually  where  there  is  some  vegetation.  The 
junior  author,  while  collecting  at  Porto  Bello,  had  the  misfortune  of 
being  "finned"  by  one  of  these  fish.  The  poison  which  it  injects  is 
of  a  rather  violent  nature,  as  the  spines  piercing  the  thumb  caused 
swelling  of  the  entire  hand  and  forearm,  accompanied  by  severe  pains 
throughout  the  hand  and  arm.  The  pain,  however,  lasted  only  a  few 
hours  and  within  12  hours  the  swelling  had  gone  down  and,  except 
for  a  little  soreness  in  the  wound  on  the  thumb,  no  evil  effects  were 
apparent.  This  fish  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  Colon  fish  market  but 
its  commercial  value  is  small,  because  of  the  small  size  attained  and 
because  it  is  not  abundant. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  southward  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

603.  Scorpaena  mystes  Jordan  &  Starks. 

Scorpcena  mystes  Jordan  &  Starks,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V, 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       837 

1895,  491,  PI.  LII  (Mazatlan)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1849,  PI.  CCLXXVII,  fig.  671 ;  Gilbert  & 

Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  161  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Fowler, 

Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  411  (Panama). 

Head  2.25  to  2.4 ;  depth  2.6  to  3.2 ;  eye  3  to  5.6  in  head ;  snout  3.4  to 
4.75 ;  interorbital  5.25  to  8.25 ;  maxillary  1.9  to  2.1 ;  D.  XII,  10;  A.  Ill, 
5 ;  gill-rakers  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch  about  5,  besides  4  or  5  rudi- 
ments ;  scales  44  to  49. 

This  species  is  closely  related  to  S.  plumieri,  from  which  it  is 
distinguished  with  difficulty.  The  interorbital  area,  however,  appears 
to  be  a  little  narrower  and  the  quadrate  pit  at  occiput  is  notably 
shallower.  The  axil  is  not  wholly  black,  and  it  usually  has  only  a 
large  black  spot.  The  small  white  spots  in  axil  are  much  less  numerous 
or  frequently  wanting.  The  tentacle  above  eye  is  variously  developed 
or  absent  and  is  of  no  specific  value. 

The  species  is  represented  by  20  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
40  to  270  mm.  It  is  not  infrequent  in  tide  pools. 

Known  from  Guaymas  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Taboga  Island,  Naos  Island  and  Panama. 

604.  Scorpaena  brasiliensis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes. 

Scorpcena  brasiliensis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.   Nat.  Poiss.,  IV, 

1829,  305  (Brazil)  ;  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  112; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1842, 

PI.  CCLXXVII,  fig.  670. 
Scorpcena  stearnsii  Goode  &  Bean,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  421 

(Pensacola,  Fla.). 

Head  2.5  to  2.8;  depth  2.6  to  3.15;  D.  XII,  10;  A.  Ill,  5;  scales 
55  to  60. 

Body  moderately  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  head  notably 
deeper  than  broad;  snout  rather  blunt,  4  to  4.35  in  head;  eye  3.15  to 
3.7 ;  interorbital  5.5  to  7.4 ;  supraorbital  stay  elevated,  bearing  3  spines ; 
a  shallow  quadrate  pit  at  occiput,  the  ridges  on  sides  of  it  not  complete, 
leaving  the  pit  open  laterally;  no  pit  below  eye;  preorbital  with  2 
divergent  spines ;  a  small  sharp  spine  slightly  above  and  behind  each 
anterior  nostril;  occiput  with  2  series  of  spines;  preopercle  with  4 
spines ;  opercle  with  2  strong  spines ;  mouth  moderate,  slightly  oblique ; 
maxillary  reaching  a  little  beyond  middle  of  eye,  1.9  to  2  in  head; 
teeth  in  villif orm  bands  on  jars,  vomer  and  palatines ;  gill-rakers 
very  short,  about  7  more  or  less  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch ; 
scales  small,  present  on  chest,  part  of  cheeks  and  most  of  opercles  as 


838     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

well  as  on  body;  lateral  line  complete,  with  few  short  dermal  flaps; 
dorsal  fin  rather  deeply  notched,  its  origin  over  upper  anterior  angle 
of  gill-opening,  the  spines  moderate,  the  fourth  or  fifth  the  longest, 
higher  than  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  fin  slightly  rounded ;  anal  fin  with  3 
graduated  spines,  the  second  stronger  than  the  third,  the  third  spine 
shorter  than  the  longest  dorsal  spine;  ventral  fins  inserted  a  little 
behind  base  of  pectorals,  reaching  beyond  vent  in  young,  proportion- 
ately much  shorter  in  adult ;  pectoral  fins  rather  large,  the  lower  rays 
decreasing  rapidly  in  length,  1.2  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  pale  brownish,  paler  below,  some  indistinct  dark 
blotches  on  upper  part  of  sides ;  the  posterior  part  of  each  scale  darker ; 
axil  of  pectoral  pale,  with  small  round  dark  spots,  these  also  present  on 
lower  part  of  side  behind  pectoral ;  dorsal  and  anal  irregularly  marbled ; 
caudal  with  a  median  and  terminal  blackish  band ;  ventrals  pale  at  base, 
bluish  black  at  tips ;  pectorals  mottled,  faintly  banded. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us  on  the  coast  of  Panama.  It  is 
here  described  from  specimens  in  the  National  Museum  collection 
from  Key  West,  Florida,  and  Bahia,  Brazil,  ranging  in  length  from 
70  to  135  mm. 

Known  from  North  Carolina  to  Brazil;  not  recorded  from  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama. 

605.  Scorpaena  grandicornis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes. 

Scorpana  grandicornis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV, 

1829,   309    (Martinique;   Porto   Rico;   Havana;   San   Domingo); 

Meek  &  Newland,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1885  (1886),  396,  401 ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1850, 

PI.  CCLXXVIII,  fig.  672. 

Head  2  to  2.6;  depth  2  to  2.6;  D.  XII,  9  or  10;  A.  Ill,  5  or  6; 
scales  41  to  45. 

Body  elongate,  rather  strongly  compressed;  the  back  elevated; 
head  rather  narrow,  somewhat  deeper  than  broad;  snout  blunt,  3.2  to 
4.4  in  head ;  eye  3  to  3.85 ;  interorbital  5.5  to  6.3 ;  supraorbital  greatly 
elevated,  bearing  3  spines;  a  long  fringed  dermal  tentacle  behind  the 
second  spine,  the  tentacle  varying  in  length  among  specimens,  but 
always  notably  longer  than  eye,  none  as  long  as  in  specimens  examined 
from  Key  West;  a  quadrate  pit  at  occiput;  no  distinct  pit  below  and 
in  front  of  eye;  suborbital  stay  usually  with  processes;  preorbital 
with  2  blunt  divergent  spines ;  a  small  spine  slightly  above  and  behind 
each  anterior  nostril;  occiput  with  several  spines  on  each  side;  pre- 
opercle  with  4  or  5  spines ;  opercle  with  2  strong  spines ;  mouth  rather 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       839 

broad,  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  a  little  beyond  middle  of  eye,  1.9 
to  2.1  in  head;  teeth  in  villiform  bands,  present  on  jaws,  vomer  and 
palatines;  gill-rakers  short  and  blunt,  with  many  spinules,  about  6 
developed  on  the  lower  limb  of  the  first  arch;  scales  rather  small, 
present  on  part  of  opercle  and  on  part  of  cheek;  lateral  line  complete, 
with  a  series  of  dermal  flaps  equal  to  or  longer  than  half  the  eye; 
dorsal  fin  continuous,  somewhat  notched,  its  origin  a  little  in  advance 
of  gill-opening,  the  spines  strong,  the  third  or  fourth  the  longest, 
higher  than  the  soft  rays ;  caudal  fin  round ;  anal  fin  with  3  strong 
spines,  the  second  the  longest,  also  somewhat  longer  than  the  longest 
dorsal  spine ;  ventrals  inserted  nearly  half  an  eye's  diameter  behind 
base  of  pectorals,  reaching  well  beyond  vent;  pectoral  fins  large,  with 
broad  bases,  the  lower  rays  decreasing  in  length  rather  less  abruptly 
than  in  S.  plumieri,  i.i  to  1.25  in  head. 

Color  grayish  brown  above,  paler  below ;  a  dark  vertical  band  below 
eye  extending  over  interorbital ;  dark  band  extending  across  base  of 
pectoral  and  across  spinous  dorsal;  a  third  band  on  tips  of  pectorals 
to  last  spines  of  dorsal;  a  fourth  dark  band  from  base  of  second 
anal  spine  to  near  middle  of  soft  dorsal ;  a  fifth  bar  on  caudal  peduncle ; 
a  faint  dark  bar  at  base  of  spinous  dorsal  back  to  fifth  spine;  soft 
dorsal  with  2  bars ;  caudal  fin  with  2  dark  bars ;  anal  with  3  dark  bars ; 
ventrals  with  black  tips;  pectorals  very  dark,  with  3  black  bars,  the 
axil  gray,  with  very  small  bluish  spots  enclosed  in  black  rings ;  the 
lower  surface  of  head  and  chest  usually  with  pale  spots. 

Twenty-two  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  50  to  135  mm.,  were 
preserved.  This  species  is  a  little  less  common  than  5".  plumieri  but  it 
is  usually  found  in  company  with  the  latter. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

606.  Scorpaena  pannosa  Cramer. 

Scorpeena  pannosa  Cramer,  in  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1897, 

446,  PL  LII  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1845  J  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  161. 

Head  2.25 ;  depth  3 ;  D.  XII,  10;  A.  Ill,  5 ;  scales  43. 

Body  compressed ;  head  about  as  wide  as  d«ep ;  eye  placed  high, 
4.2  in  head ;  interorbital  space  narrow,  deeply  concave,  2  in  eye ;  supra- 
ocular  ridges  thin,  with  blunt  spines ;  occipital  pit  of  moderate  depth, 
continuous  on  each  side;  spines  at  anterior  nostrils  sharp  and  strong; 
no  pit  under  eye;  preorbital  with  two  spines,  one  directed  forward, 


840     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

the  other  downward ;  suborbital  stay  with  3  or  4  points ;  preopercle 
with  5  spines,  the  upper  one  largest;  opercle  with  two  diverging 
spines;  mouth  large,  nearly  horizontal;  maxillary  reaching  about  to 
posterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.25  in  head ;  teeth  in  broad  bands  on  jaws, 
vomer  and  palatines ;  gill-rakers  very  short,  with  many  minute  points, 
about  6  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  moderate,  present 
on  lower  part  of  cheeks  and  on  base  and  flap  of  opercle,  many  of 
them  with  dermal  flaps;  dorsal  fin  not  deeply  notched,  its  origin  over 
upper  anterior  angle  of  gill-opening,  the  third  and  fourth  spines 
longest,  scarcely  longer  than  the  longest  soft  rays ;  caudal  fin  truncate 
or  very  slightly  rounded ;  anal  with  3  spines,  the  second  one  the  largest, 
not  quite  as  long  as  the  longest  soft  rays,  the  soft  rays  not  quite  reach- 
ing the  base  of  caudal ;  ventral  fins  reaching  vent ;  pectoral  fins  large, 
reaching  nearly  to  origin  of  anal,  rays  19,  the  lower  8  simple,  the  next 
10  branched,  the  upper  one  simple ;  a  broad  flap  above  base  of  pectoral, 
with  tattered  margin. 

Color  probably  scarlet  in  life;  no  white  spots  on  side  of  body; 
cheeks  mottled  with  small,  dark,  mostly  round  spots ;  2  narrow  dark 
bars  on  side  under  spinous  dorsal  and  a  broader  one  under  soft  dorsal ; 
no  trace  of  dark  bar  on  caudal  peduncle;  a  large  dark  spot  on  side 
behind  opercular  flap;  dorsal  and  pectorals  pale,  with  slight  cloudings 
of  dark  spots;  axil  of  pectorals  pale,  with  3  or  4  dark  spots;  caudal 
fin  with  2  faint  cross-bars  or  dark  spots,  faint  white  spots  on  the 
lighter  bands. 

This  species  was  not  secured  by  us.  The  above  description  is  based 
on  the  type,  a  specimen  190  mm.  in  length,  which  we  have  examined, 
and  which  appears  to  be  the  only  specimen  known. 

Recorded  only  from  Panama  Bay  where  it  was  taken  by  the 
Albatross. 

607.  Scorpaena  histrio  Jenyns. 

Scorpcena  histrio  Jenyns,  in  Darwin,  Zool.  Voy.  Beagle,  Pt.  IV,  Fish, 

1842,   35,   PI.   VIII    (Chatham   Island,    Galapagos   Archipelago) ; 

Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,  1860,  115;  Jordan  &  Bollman, 

Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  182  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann, 

Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus.,  XLVII,    1898,    1843;   Gilbert  &  Starks, 

Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  161. 

Head  2.15;  depth  3.1 ;  D.  XII,  10;  A.  Ill,  5;  scales  43. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  large,  its  depth  and  width  equal; 
interorbital  narrow,  2  in  orbit;  supraocular  ridges  thin,  high,  with 
very  blunt  spines;  preopercular  ridges  very  thick,  prominent,  with 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       841 

strong  spines ;  postocular  spines  on  rim  of  orbit,  external  and  posterior 
to  supraoculars ;  another  small  spine  on  rim  of  orbit  below  and  a 
little  behind  postocular;  the  bifid  spine  a  little  behind  middle  of 
posterior  margin  of  orbit,  and  behind  this  a  small  exoccipital  spine; 
a  pair  of  sharp  "coronal"  spines  with  small  pits  in  front  of  them; 
thin,  rather  high  parietal  and  nuchal  ridges  with  blunt  spines;  occiput 
with  a  moderate  pit,  continuous  on  each  side  between  "coronal"  spine 
and  parietal  ridge,  with  a  pit  behind  superior  posterior  border  of  orbit ; 
nasal  spines  strong;  preorbital  very  wide,  with  2  or  3  small  spines; 
no  pit  under  orbit,  but  a  broad  shallow  depression  under  whole  length 
of  orbit;  uppermost  preopercular  spine  longest,  with  a  small  spine 
above  its  base,  the  second,  third  and  fourth  spines  successively  smaller, 
the  fifth  obsolete;  ope'rcle  with  two  strong  spines;  mouth  very  large, 
nearly  horizontal;  maxillary  reaching  beyond  posterior  edge  of  orbit, 
2  to  2.1  in  head;  broad  bands  of  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines; 
gill-rakers,  very  short,  broad,  about  8  developed;  scales  moderate, 
mostly  cycloid;  small  embedded  scales  behind  orbit  on  base  of  opercle 
and  below  suborbital  stay;  many  of  the  scales  on  sides  with  dermal 
flaps ;  dorsal  fin  somewhat  notched,  its  origin  opposite  upper  angle 
of  gill-opening;  third  and  fourth  spines  equal,  the  longest  twice  as 
long  as  first;  longest  soft  rays  about  equal  to  longest  spine;  caudal 
truncate;  second  anal  spine  longest;  ventrals  reaching  a  little  beyond 
vent;  pectorals  reaching  nearly  to  anal,  the  uppermost  ray  simple,  the 
next  8  or  9  branched,  the  lower  n  or  12  simple;  a  broad  flap  above 
base  of  pectoral,  its  edge  nearly  smooth. 

Color  in  alcohol :  Top  of  head  and  sides  dark  brown,  with  a  slight 
wash  of  cherry-red;  belly  white;  cheeks  under  eyes  mottled  with  light 
and  dark;  soft  dorsal  dark;  membrane  of  spinous  dorsal  and  base 
of  soft  dorsal  strongly  washed  with  cherry-red;  a  dark  spot  on 
opercular  flap ;  some  of  the  flaps  on  the  sides  of  the  same  color,  others 
white;  pectorals  with  3  dark  bars,  alternating  with  lighter;  axil  cloudy; 
caudal  with  2  broad  dark  bars,  the  lighter  bands  much  mottled  with 
white;  posterior  part  of  sides  with  several  white  spots;  a  narrow 
black  band  across  top  of  peduncle  just  in  front  of  caudal. 

This  species  was  not  secured  by  us  but  it  has  been  taken  in  Panama 
Bay  by  the  Albatross.  The  description  here  given  is  based  upon  pub- 
lished accounts  and  upon  a  few  large  specimens  which  we  have  exam- 
ined in  the  National  Museum. 

Known  from  Juan  Fernandez,  Galapagos  Archipelago,  Chinchas 
Island,  Panama  Bay,  and  southward  to  Peru. 


842     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  — -  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

608.  Scorpaena  isthmensis  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXX.) 

Type  No.  81617,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  90  mm.;  Porto  Bello,  Panama. 

Head  2.5 ;  depth  2.7 ;  D.  XII,  10 ;  A.  Ill,  5 ;  scales  47. 

Body  rather  robust;  head  somewhat  deeper  than  broad;  snout 
broad,  3.4  in  head ;  eye  3.4 ;  interorbital  deeply  concave,  7.7 ;  suborbital 
stay  evident,  bearing  no  spines;  the  rest  of  the  armature  of  the  head 
identical  with  5.  brasiliensis;  mouth  rather  large,  slightly  oblique ;  maxil- 
lary reaching  nearly  to  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.8  in  head;  teeth 
minute,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  gill-rakers  very  short 
and  blunt,  with  strong  bristles,  5  somewhat  developed  on  lower  limb 
of  first  arch ;  scales  moderate,  present  on  chest,  part  of  the  cheeks  and 
opercles  as  well  as  on  body;  lateral  line  with  few  short  dermal  flaps, 
none  on  scales  elsewhere;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched,  the  membrane 
attached  to  less  than  a  third  of  the  last  spine,  the  spines  moderate,  the 
third  or  fourth  the  longest,  about  equal  to  the  longest  soft  rays ;  caudal 
fin  nearly  square  posteriorly,  notably  longer  than  snout  and  eye; 
ventral  fins  rather  long,  reaching  past  vent;  pectoral  fins  large,  the 
upper  ray  simple,  the  next  7  branched  and  the  lower  10  simple,  the 
longest  rays  1.2  in  head;  a  very  small  flap  above  base  of  pectoral,  its 
margin  adnate  and  entire. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  brown  above,  paler  brown  on  lower  part  of 
sides ;  chest  and  abdomen  pale ;  many  of  the  scales  on  sides  with  small 
black  spots;  a  trace  of  a  dark  bar  from  base  of  pectoral  across  spinous 
dorsal ;  a  second  dark  bar  on  anterior  part  of  anal,  across  body  and 
extending  on  anterior  soft  rays  of  dorsal;  a  third  dark  bar  at  base  of 
caudal,  another  dark  bar  on  median  portion  of  caudal  and  one  on  the 
distal  portion;  lower  part  of  sides  with  faint  pale  spots;  lower  surface 
of  head  speckled  with  white ;  ventral  fins  pale  brown  at  base,  the  distal 
parts  black;  axil  of  pectoral  pale  brownish,  unspotted,  the  fin  exteriorly 
with  indications  of  a  black  bar  at  base  and  another  on  median  portion, 
the  rays  with  pale  markings. 

We  have  a  single  specimen,  90  mm.  long,  which  appears  to  represent 
a  new  species.  Its  relationships  are  with  S.  histrio  and  S.  pannosa, 
from  which  it  differs  in  having  a  smooth  suborbital  stay  which  does 
not  end  in  a  spine  posteriorly ;  flap  above  base  of  pectoral  small,  adnate, 
with  smooth  margin;  no  dermal  flaps  on  scales,  except  along  lateral 
line;  scales  somewhat  smaller;  color  somewhat  darker,  many  of  the 
scales  on  sides  with  black  spots.  From  S.  bergii  Evermann  &  Marsh 
(Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XX,  Pt.  I,  1900  (1902),  p.  276,  fig.  83)  it 
differs  in  having  one  more  spine  in  the  dorsal ;  the  anal  spines  are  gradu- 


*  <UHOt 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       843 

ated,  the  second  not  longer  than  the  third,  as  in  S.  bergii;  the  caudal  fin 
is  notably  longer,  and  the  mouth  is  larger. 

Our  specimen  and  type  is  from  Porto  Bello. 

609.  Scorpaena  russula  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Scorpcena  russula  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  l^5 

(Albatross  Stations  2795  &  2797,  in  Panama  Bay,  33  fathoms)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  .Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  1851; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  161. 

Head  2.3  to  2.5;  depth  3.2  to  3.7;  D.  XII,  10;  A.  Ill,  5;  scales  45 
to  47. 

Body  robust,  compressed;  the  back  little  elevated;  snout  4.5  in 
head ;  eye  3.5 ;  interorbital  narrow,  its  width  a  little  less  than  ^  eye, 
9.5  in  head ;  preocular  spine  very  prominent,  larger  than  others  on  top 
of  head;  supraocular  tentacle  disappearing  in  adult;  supraocular  spine 
not  as  strong  as  postocular  and  tympanic,  which  are  close  together,  the 
latter  followed  by  a  low  striate  ridge  bearing  the  low  occipital  and 
nuchal  spines;  no  coronal  spines;  temporal  ridge  prominent,  ending  in 
a  spine,  and  with  two  blunt  spines  in  front;  below  these  and  about 
halfway  to  suborbital  stay  another  small  and  blunt  spine;  preorbital 
with  2  large  spines  in  front;  suborbital  stay  with  a  prominent  ridge 
bearing  a  small  spine  below  anterior  margin  of  pupil,  and  2  more 
behind  posterior  margin;  nasal  spines  short  and  sharp;  occipital  and 
suborbital  pits  absent;  preopercle  with  4  distinct  spines  and  4  smaller 
projections,  the  largest  spine  with  a  small  one  immediately  below;  2 
large,  sharp  opercular  spines ;  mouth  large ;  maxillary  reaching  posterior 
margin  of  pupil,  2  in  head ;  gill-rakers  short  and  thick,  5  or  6  developed ; 
scales  small,  scarcely  ctenoid,  those  on  belly  much  reduced ;  membrane 
of  opercle  with  a  few  scales,  the  opercle  itself  naked ;  scales  of  body 
without  fleshy  flaps;  dorsal  spines  not  as  high  as  soft  rays,  the  fin 
deeply  notched;  second  anal  spine  longest;  pectorals  long,  the  lower 
14  rays  simple,  the  next  6  branched,  the  uppermost  one  simple;  ventrals 
reaching  vent ;  caudal  equal  to  pectoral. 

Color  dark  brown  above,  probably  crimson  in  life,  pale  below  level 
of  upper  half  of  pectorals;  upper  half  of  head  dark  but  without  any 
distinct  spots ;  the  back  more  or  less  mottled  with  dusky ;  spinous  dorsal 
with  a  dusky  band  at  base  and  another  across  its  middle;  soft  dorsal 
dark  at  base,  with  3  or  4  irregular  rows  of  small  obscure  brownish 
spots;  caudal  tipped  with  black,  traces  of  a  narrow  dark  bar  across 
its  middle;  pectorals  slightly  tipped  with  black,  the  middle  slightly 
mottled ;  ventrals  and  anal  pale  or  with  traces  of  black  on  tips  of  rays. 


844     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

This  species  was  dredged  in  Panama  Bay  by  the  Albatross.    It  was 
not  seen  there  by  us  but  we  have  examined  some  of  the  "types." 
Known  only  from  Panama  Bay. 

610.  Scorpaena  colonensis  sp.  nov.  (Plate  LXXXI,  fig.  I). 

Type  No.  81606,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  42  mm. ;  tide  pools,  Colon. 

Head  2.2;  depth  2.33;  D.  XII,  10;  A.  Ill,  5;  scales  44. 

Body  rather  short,  deep,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  head 
nearly  as  broad  as  deep ;  snout  blunt,  3.35  in  head ;  eye  4.3 ;  interorbital 
4.3;  supraorbital  ridge  not  greatly  elevated,  bearing  3  spines  and  no 
filament ;  only  a  slight  depression  at  occiput ;  no  pit  below  eye ;  suborbital 
stay  with  3  processes ;  preorbital  with  3  spines ;  a  small  spine  above  and 
behind  each  anterior  nostril;  occiput  with  2  series  of  spines  on  each 
side;  preopercle  with  5  spines;  opercle  with  2  strong  spines;  mouth 
broad,  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  pupil,  1.9  in 
head ;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines ;  gill-rakers 
very  short,  about  6  more  or  less  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch ; 
scales  moderate,  present  on  opercles  and  cheeks,  nearly  the  entire  head 
covered  with  short  dermal  flaps,  these  also  present  on  sides  above  lateral 
line;  lateral  line  complete;  dorsal  fin  notched,  its  origin  over  upper 
anterior  angle  of  gill-opening ;  the  dorsal  spines  strong,  of  unequal  length, 
the  median  ones  longest,  scarcely  higher  than  the  soft  rays;  caudal  fin 
round ;  anal  fin  with  3  rather  long,  slender  spines,  the  second  one 
reaching  beyond  the  tip  of  the  third  when  deflexed,  about  a  half  longer 
than  eye,  notably  longer  than  the  longest  dorsal  spines ;  ventrals  inserted 
a  little  behind  base  of  pectorals,  reaching  beyond  vent;  pectoral  fins 
large,  with  19  rays ;  the  upper  pectoral  ray  simple,  the  next  2  branched, 
the  longest  rays  1.85  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  somewhat  paler  below  than  above; 
caudal  peduncle  pale ;  sides  with  3  dark  vertical  bars ;  one  bar  from  be- 
hind base  of  pectoral  extending  on  spinous  dorsal,  and  a  second  one  on 
anterior  part  of  anal  across  body  and  on  anterior  part  of  soft  dorsal ;  a 
third  bar  which  is  divided  below  is  situated  on  base  of  caudal ;  lower  sur- 
face of  head  with  small  pale  gray  spots ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  pale,  except 
where  crossed  by  body  bars,  but  with  dark  spots;  caudal  fin  pale, 
with  2  dark  vertical  bars;  ventral  fins  very  dark  brown,  with  pale 
margins;  pectoral  fins  dark,  with  small  gray  spots  and  pale  margins; 
the  axil  brown,  unspotted. 

We  have  a  single  specimen,  42  mm.  long,  which  appears  to  repre- 
sent a  new  species.  It  is  more  closely  related  to  S.  inermis  Cuvier  & 
Valenciennes  than  any  other  species  known  to  us,  but  the  body  is  deeper, 


FIELD   MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.         ZOOLOGY,   VOL.   XV,   PL.    LXXXI. 


FIG.  1.    SCORP/ENA  COLONENSIS  sp.  nov 

From  the  type  42  mm.  in  length. 


FlG.   2.     SCORP/ENODES  XYRIS  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 
From  a  specimen  92  mm.  in  length. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       845 

eye  smaller,  interorbital  much  broader,  the  second  anal  spine  is  notably 
longer  and  the  head  and  occiput  bear  numerous  dermal  flaps. 
Our  specimen  was  taken  from  a  tide  pool  at  Colon. 

218.  Genus  Scorpaenodes  Bleeker. 

Scorpanodes  Bleeker,   Nat.  Tijds.  Ned.-Ind.,  XIII,   1857,  371    (type 

Scorpana  polylepis  Bleeker). 
Sebastopsis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  278  (type  Scor- 

pcena  polylepis  Bleeker) . 
Sebastopsis  Sauvage,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat.,  Zool.,  V,  1873  I  (type  Sebastes 

minutus  Cuvier). 

Palatine  teeth  wanting;  dorsal  spines  13;  no  dermal  flaps  on  scales. 
Two  species,  one  each  from  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts,  are  repre- 
sented in  the  Panama  collection.  A  new  species  (tredecimspinosa)  be- 
longing to  this  genus  has  been  described  from  the  Dutch  West  Indies 
by  Metzelaar  (1919,  p.  146,  fig.  i)  under  the  generic  name  Scorpcena. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  with  10  soft  rays;  second  anal  spine  about  as  long 
as  eye  and  snout ;  longest  dorsal  spine  not  higher  than  the  longest 
soft  rays.  xyris,  p.  845. 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  with  8  soft  rays;  second  anal  spine  about  as  long 
as  snout  and  half  the  eye;  longest  dorsal  spine  higher  than  the 
longest  soft  rays.  caribb&ns  sp.  nov.,  p.  847. 

611.  Scorpaenodes  xyris  (Jordan  &  Gilbert).  (Plate  LXXXI,  fig.  2.) 
Sebastopsis  xyris  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  369 

(Cape  San  Lucas) ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  1835. 

Head  2.35  to  2.55;  depth  2.35  to  2.9;  D.  XIII,  10;  A.  Ill,  5; 
scales  44  to  50. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  head 
moderate,  deeper  than  broad;  snout  short,  3.55  to  4.6  in  head;  eye  3.1  to 
4.15;  interorbital  5.75  to  8.6;  supraorbital  ridge  rather  prominent, 
bearing  3  spines,  the  median  one  with  a  dermal  tentacle  about  as  long 
as  pupil ;  no  occipital  pit ;  an  elongate  depression  below  the  eye,  but  no 
pit ;  suborbital  stay  with  3  points ;  preorbital  with  3  blunt  points ;  nostril 
spine  quite  small ;  occipital  region  with  2  more  or  less  definite  series  of 
spines;  preopercle  with  3  spines,  the  uppermost  largest,  with  an  aux- 
iliary spine  on  its  base ;  opercle  with  2  rather  prominent  spines ;  shoulder 
girdle  above  base  of  pectoral  with  I  strong  spine,  and  2  at  origin  of 


846     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

lateral  line;  mouth  quite  broad,  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  nearly 
opposite  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.7  to  1.9  in  head;  teeth  on  jaws  in 
villiform  bands,  a  small  patch  of  villiform  teeth  on  vomer,  none  on 
palatine;  gill-rakers  short  and  slender,  about  5  more  or  less  developed 
on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  pseudobranchiae  large;  scales  small,  finely 
ctenoid,  present  on  entire  body  except  on  interorbital  space,  snout  and 
mandible;  no  dermal  flaps  except  on  scaleless  portions;  lateral  line 
prominent,  slightly  interrupted  at  base  of  caudal,  missing  on  a  few 
scales ;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched,  its  origin  slightly  in  advance  of  upper 
anterior  angle  of  gill-opening,  the  spines  slender,  pungent,  the  fifth 
or  sixth  the  longest,  not  quite  as  high  as  the  longest  soft  rays,  about 
equal  to  diameter  of  eye;  caudal  fin  rounded;  anal  fin  with  3  strong 
spines,  the  second  notably  enlarged,  reaching  well  beyond  the  tip  of 
the  third  when  deflexed,  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  snout  and  eye,  the 
soft  rays  as  long  as  the  second  spine;  ventral  fins  moderately  long, 
reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  vent  in  young,  shorter  in  adult,  inserted 
under  base  of  pectorals;  pectoral  fin  rather  broad,  with  18  rays,  the 
uppermost  ray  unbranched,  the  next  7  branched,  the  rest  simple,  the 
longest  rays  1.2  to  1.6  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  with  indefinite  dark  markings ;  no  distinct 
bars  except  on  caudal  peduncle ;  the  peduncle  with  2  rather  distinct  dark 
bars ;  small  specimens  40  mm.  long  with  an  indefinite  bar  from  base  of 
anal  to  anterior  part  of  soft  dorsal ;  3  dark  blotches  on  back  extending 
on  the  fin ;  a  dark  bar  in  advance  of  dorsal,  less  distinct  on  some  of  our 
larger  specimens,  yet  plainly  visible;  an  indefinite  bar  extending  from 
eye  across  tip  of  maxillary  to  opercular  margin ;  some  specimens  having 
a  definite  round  black  spot  on  subopercle ;  small  dark  spots  on  the  dorsal 
and  anal  fins  in  addition  to  the  blotches  already  mentioned  evident; 
caudal  fin  with  a  dark  bar  at  base  and  with  dark  spots  on  the  rays,  form- 
ing indistinct  wavy  cross-bars ;  ventral  fins  with  a  few  dark  spots,  some- 
times merely  partly  dusky ;  pectoral  fins  with  dark  spots,  the  axil  colored 
like  the  rest  of  the  lower  part  of  side. 

Nine  specimens  of  this  species,  ranging  in  length  from  35  to  90 
mm.,  were  collected.  The  second  anal  spine  in  our  specimens,  as  well 
as  in  the  "types"  which  we  have  examined,  is  notably  longer  and 
stronger  than  the  third,  not  the  reverse  as  stated  by  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Recorded  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  and  the  neighboring 
islands,  also  from  the  Revilagigedo  and  Galapagos  archipelagos  and 
now  for  the  first  time  from  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens  were  taken 
on  the  rocky  shores  of  the  small  islands  in  Panama  Bay  near  Balboa. 


3  E 

y   E 


THE 

of  m 

SiftSKf  Of 


SEPT.  1928      FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       847 

612.  Scorpaenodes  caribbaeus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXII.) 

Type  No.  81619,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  63  mm.;  Toro  Point,  Canal 
Zone. 

Head  2.2;  depth  2.6;  D.  XIII,  8;  A.  Ill  (5)  ?,  injured;  scales  42. 

Body  rather  deep,  compressed;  head  moderate,  not  quite  as  broad 
as  deep;  snout  short,  broad,  3.65  in  head;  eye  3.65;  interorbital  8.3; 
supraorbital  ridge  rather  prominently  elevated,  bearing  3  spines  and 
no  dermal  flaps;  no  occipital  pit;  an  elongate  groove  below  eye,  but 
no  pit;  suborbital  stay  with  3  spines,  the  anterior  one  with  2  short 
processes  below  it;  preorbital  with  3  very  short  blunt  points;  nostril 
spine  well  developed ;  occipital  region  with  3  more  or  less  distinct  series 
of  spines;  preopercle  with  3  spines,  the  uppermost  longest  and  in  line 
with  suborbital  stay;  opercle  with  2  strong  diverging  spines;  shoulder 
girdle  with  a  prominent  spine  just  above  base  of  pectoral,  and  2  at 
origin  of  lateral  line;  mouth  broad,  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  middle 
of  eye,  2.2  in  head;  teeth  on  jaws  in  villiform  bands;  and  a  small  patch 
of  vomerine  teeth;  no  palatine  teeth;  gill-rakers  short  and  slender,  7 
more  or  less  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  pseudobranchiae 
well  developed;  scales  rather  small,  finely  ctenoid,  present  on  entire 
body,  except  interorbital  space,  snout  and  mandible;  lateral  line 
prominent,  apparently  wanting  on  a  few  scales  at  base  of  caudal ;  dorsal 
fin  rather  deeply  notched,  its  origin  over  upper  posterior  angle  of 
gill-opening,  the  spines  rather  strong,  the  fifth  or  sixth  the  longest, 
higher  than  the  soft  rays,  about  equal  to  diameter  of  eye;  caudal  fin 
injured  in  life,  probably  normally  rounded ;  anal  fin  with  3  spines, 
the  second  spine  greatly  enlarged,  much  longer  and  stronger  than  the 
third,  also  much  larger  than  the  longest  dorsal  spines,  about  equal  to 
length  of  snout  and  half  the  eye,  the  soft  rays  injured ;  ventral  fins 
very  short  (probably  injured  and  not  of  normal  length),  inserted  under 
base  of  pectorals;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  with  18  rays,  the  uppermost 
3  simple,  the  next  6  branched,  the  rest  simple  but  somewhat  thickened 
at  the  ends,  the  longest  rays  1.7  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brown ;  sides  with  paler  areas,  but  without  evident 
bars,  except  the  one  on  base  of  caudal ;  a  dark  bar  under  eye  and  a  dark 
blotch  on  preopercle  below  posterior  part  of  eye;  an  indefinite  dark 
blotch  on  upper  part  of  opercle;  an  indication  of  a  dark  bar  across 
head  behind  eyes,  apparently  slightly  connected  with  spot  on  preopercle ; 
dorsal  fin  dark,  with  irregular  pale  spots;  ventral  fins  dusky;  pectoral 
fins  pale  gray,  with  distinct  small  roundish  black  spots ;  axil  of  pectoral 
plain  light  brownish. 


848     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

A  single  specimen,  63  mm.  long  to  base  of  caudal,  was  taken.  It  is 
unfortunate  that  this  specimen,  which  apparently  represents  a  new 
species,  is  imperfect.  It  evidently  met  with  an  accident  or  disease  dur- 
ing life  which  injured  the  caudal  and  anal  fins  and  probably  the  ventral 
fins  also.  An  attempt  at  regeneration  has  been  made,  but  the  rays  have 
not  reached  the  normal  length  and  are  somewhat  twisted  and  more 
or  less  united.  The  body  itself  appears  to  have  escaped  injury  and  is 
undoubtedly  normal. 

Our  specimen  was  taken  on  a  coral  reef  at  Toro  Point. 

Family  LXXII.    Triglida. 

THE  GURNARDS. 

Body  elongate,  usually  more  or  less  fusiform;  head  with  a  coat 
of  mail,  consisting  of  rough  bony  plates,  some  of  the  plates  at  least 
armed  with  spines;  the  suborbital  stay  prominent;  eyes  placed  high; 
mouth  terminal  or  subinferior;  premaxillaries  protractile;  maxillary 
without  supplemental  bone,  slipping  under  the  preorbital;  teeth  very 
small,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  usually  on  palatines;  gills  4,  a  slit 
behind  the  fourth;  gill-rakers  various;  gill-membranes  free  from  the 
isthmus ;  pseudobranchise  present ;  scales  or  bony  plates  on  body ;  dorsal 
fins  2,  the  first  with  spines  only,  short,  the  second  with  soft  rays  only, 
similar  to  the  anal ;  caudal  fin  rather  narrow,  with  rather  few  rays ; 
ventral  fins  thoracic,  far  apart,  with  I,  5  rays;  pectorals  large,  often 
quite  long,  the  3  lowermost  rays  free,  forming  feelers. 

A  single  genus  is  represented  in  the  Panama  fauna. 

219.  Genus  Prionotus  Lacepede. 

Prionotus  Lacepede,  Hist.   Nat.  Poiss.,  Ill,   1802,  336   (type  Trigla 

ev clans  Linnaeus). 
Ornichthys  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  262   (type 

Trigla  punctata  Bloch). 
Chriolax  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1878,  374   (type 

Trigla  evolans  Linnaeus). 

Body  subfusiform;  head  large;  snout  broad,  much  longer  than  the 
small  eye;  surface  of  the  head  entirely  bony,  the  bones  rough  with 
ridges,  granules  and  spines ;  preopercle  with  i  or  2  spines  at  its  angle ; 
opercle  with  i  sharp  spine;  I  spine  on  shoulder  girdle;  mouth  broad; 
teeth  small,  granular,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  gill- 
membranes  nearly  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  gill-rakers  moderate ; 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       849 

lateral  line  continuous;  scales  small,  more  or  less  rough,  wanting  or 
few  on  head,  sometimes  wanting  on  crest;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the 
first  with  8  to  10  spines;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  ventral  fins 
far  apart,  with  flat  space  between  them,  composed  of  I,  5  rays ;  pectoral 
fins  with  3  lower  anterior  rays  separate  from  the  rest  of  fin  and 
entirely  free  from  each  other.  Some  of  the  gurnards  live  in  rather 
deep  water  but  others  are  regularly  taken  in  shallow  water  along  the 
shores.  Only  3  species  are  represented  in  the  Panama  collection,  but 
several  others  have  been  included  in  this  report  because  their  distribution 
brings  them  within  the  scope  of  this  work. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Suborbital  ridge  or  stay  with  a  spine  at  the  center  of  radiations 
on  cheek. 

b.  A  definite  transverse  groove  on  head  behind  eyes;  anal  fin  with 
12  rays ;  pectorals  reaching  past  middle  of  anal,  not  quite  half 
the  length  of  body.  punctatus,  p.  850. 

bb.  No  transverse  groove  on  head  behind  eyes ;  pectoral  fins  reaching 
little  if  any  beyond  origin  of  anal,  about  3.5  in  length  of  body. 

c.  Scales    firm,    strongly   ctenoid,    notably    rough   to   the   touch; 
vomerine  teeth  in  2  patches,  usually  well  separated  on  median 
line;  A.  ir.  ruscarius,p.  850 

cc.  Scales  thin,  scarcely  ctenoid,  not  rough  to  the  touch;  vomerine 
teeth  in  continuous  band ;  A.  10.  horrens,  p.  852. 

aa.  Suborbital  ridge  or  stay  without  a  spine  at  center  of  radiations 
on  cheek. 

d.  A  groove  across  head  behind  eyes ;  body  robust,  the  depth  about 
3.5  in  length. 

e.  Preopercular  spine  with  a  small  spine  at  base,  dorsal  spines  8. 

xenisma,  p.  854. 

ee.     Preopercular  spine  without  small  spine  at  base ;  dorsal  spines  10. 

loxias,  p.  855. 

dd.  No  groove  across  head  behind  eyes;  body  elongate,  rather 
slender,  the  depth  4  to  4.5  in  the  length. 

f.  Pectoral  fins  of  moderate  length,  reaching  a  little  beyond  middle 
,  of  base  of  dorsal,  2.2  to  2.4  in  body ;  interorbital  deeply  concave, 

very  narrow,  7.5  to  9  in  head;  scales  small,  about  100  in  a 

longitudinal  series.  aspersus  sp.  nov.,  p.  856. 

ff.     Pectoral  fins  long,  reaching  opposite  base  of  last  rays  of  dorsal, 

about  2  in  body;  interorbital  broader  and  less  deeply  concave, 


850     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

4.5  to  6.5  in  head ;  scales  larger,  about  60  to  70  in  a  longitudinal 
series. 

g.  Maxillary  reaching  slightly  beyond  anterior  margin  of  eye,  2.5 
in  head;  bands  of  palatine  teeth  narrow;  gill-rakers  long  and 
slender,  about  y2  diameter  of  eye,  8  well  developed  on  lower 
limb  of  first  arch;  interorbital  space  not  deeply  concave,  rather 
wide,  4.65  to  5  in  head.  quiescens,  p.  857. 

gg.  Maxillary  failing  to  reach  front  of  eye,  2.75  in  head ;  bands  of 
palatine  teeth  rather  broad;  gill-rakers  short,  about  **/$  diameter 
of  eye,  about  5  well  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch ;  inter- 
orbital  space  rather  deeply  concave,  narrow,  6.5  in  head. 

albirostris,  p.  858. 

613.  Prionotus  punctatus  (Bloch). 

Trigla   punctata   Bloch,    Naturg.   Ausl.    Fische,   VII,    1793,    125,    PI. 

CCCLIII  (Martinique). 
Prionotus  punctatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1829, 

93;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2169. 

"Head  2^;  depth  2^;  eye  6  in  head.  D.  X-I2;  A.  12;  about  50 
pores  in  lateral  line.  Body  stout ;  head  large ;  preopercular  spine  with  a 
smaller  one  at  its  base;  pectorals  reaching  past  middle  of  anal,  their 
length  not  quite  l/2  the  body ;  gill-rakers  rather  long  and  slender,  about  10 
developed ;  maxillary  2^2  in  head ;  a  bluntish  spine  on  edge  of  snout 
behind  the  serrse ;  behind  this  i  or  2  smaller  ones,  at  least  in  the  young ; 
no  spine  on  cheek  bone;  groove  behind  the  eye  evident;  interorbital 
area  rather  narrow,  concave;  preocular,  supraocular,  occipital  and 
nuchal  spines  rather  prominent;  dorsal  spines  high,  the  third  21/^  in 
head ;  first  spine  not  serrate ;  mouth  large,  maxillary  2.y2  to  2^  in 
head,  and  reaching  nearly  to  the  eye ;  a  small  spine  on  center  of  radiation 
of  cheek  and  one  before  it.  Color  nearly  plain;  spinous  dorsal  with 
dark  clouds  and  without  black  ocelli ;  pectoral  dark,  with  some  round 
brown  spots  above ;  caudal  dark  barred ;  a  whitish  area  on  back  between 
dorsals."  (Jordan  &  Evermann.) 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  authors  of  the  above  descrip- 
tion state  that  it  was  based  on  2  small  specimens  collected  on  the  east 
coast  of  Mexico.  The  species  is  not  yet  known  from  the  coast  of 
Panama,  but  its  range  brings  it  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

Known  from  West  Indies,  east  coast  of  Mexico,  Brazil  and  Uruguay. 

614.  Prionotus  ruscarius  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Prionotus  birostratus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  387  (not 
P.  birostratus  Richardson). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       851 

Prionotus  horrens  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2172  (in  part;  not  P.  horrens  Richardson). 
Prionotus  ruscarius  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904, 

165,    PI.    XXVII,    figs.    50   and    5oa    (Panama    Bay;    Mazatlan; 

Magdalena  Bay,  L.  C.). 

Head  2.35  to  2.7;  depth  3.35  to  4.15;  D.  X-I2;  A.  u;  scales  96 
to  107. 

Body  quite  elongate,  scarcely  compressed ;  head  rather  short,  broader 
than  deep;  snout  depressed,  broader  than  long,  2.1  to  2.4  in  head;  eye 
4.15  to  6.4;  interorbital  deeply  concave,  3.95  to  4.3;  mouth  broad; 
maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  anterior  margin  of  eye,  2.3  to  2.57  in  head ; 
vomerine  teeth  in  2  separate  patches,  usually  well  separated  on  median 
line ;  a  prominent  ridge  from  snout  to  preopercular  spine ;  serrations 
on  snout;  4  flat  spines  on  ridge  on  side  of  head;  these  spines,  as  well 
as  all  the  others  on  the  head,  always  much  more  prominent  in  the 
young  than  in  the  adult;  supraorbital  ridge  quite  high,  bearing  i  spine 
over  anterior  part  of  eye  and  2  over  the  posterior  part  in  the  adult,  a 
minute  one  projecting  into  a  notch  in  the  immediate  bony  rim  of  the 
orbit  and  a  larger  one  farther  removed  from  the  rim ;  young  with  a  single 
spine  as  in  P.  horrens;  the  ridges  and  granules,  the  humeral,  opercular 
and  occipital  spines  and  ridges  all  coarser  and  somewhat  more  prominent 
than  in  P.  horrens;  gill-rakers  rather  slender,  about  6  developed  on 
lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  small,  firm,  strongly  ctenoid,  notably 
rough  to  the  touch;  the  breast  in  some  specimens  largely  naked,  in 
others  with  only  a  small  naked  area  anteriorly  and  at  base  of  each 
ventral;  spinous  dorsal  prominently  elevated,  its  origin  slightly  in 
advance  of  margin  of  opercle,  the  second  spine  longest,  notably  longer 
than  the  longest  soft  rays,  equal  to  length  of  snout  and  one-third  eye, 
the  posterior  spine  scarcely  as  long  as  pupil ;  caudal  fin  gently  concave, 
the  upper  rays  slightly  longer  than  the  lower  ones;  anal  fin  not  quite 
as  high  as  the  soft  dorsal,  its  origin  a  little  posterior  to  that  of  the 
second  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  not  quite  reaching  vent  in  adult,  to  or  beyond 
vent  in  young ;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  reaching  beyond  tips  of  ventrals, 
nearly  or  quite  to  origin  of  anal,  3.3  to  3.95  in  body. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  brown  on  back  and  sides,  white  below ;  a  faint 
ill-defined  dark  bar  under  spinous  dorsal  and  another  slightly  more 
distinct  under  posterior  half  of  soft  dorsal;  dorsal  fins  translucent,  the 
anterior  part  of  spinous  dorsal  usually  dark  brown ;  soft  dorsal  brownish 
posteriorly,  or  at  least  with  brownish  spots,  the  margin  of  the  membranes 
blackish;  caudal  fin  with  dark  spots,  forming  irregular  cross-bars,  the 
distal  fourth  of  the  membranes  mostly  black;  anal  and  ventrals  pale; 


852     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

pectorals  dark  brown  or  dusky,  with  a  large  pale  blotch  on  the  median 
connected  rays  of  the  distal  third  of  the  fin,  the  membranes  of  posterior 
margin  of  fin  black. 

This  species  and  P.  horrens  are  about  equally  abundant,  both  were 
frequently  seen  in  the  Panama  City  market  and  they  are  of  limited 
commercial  value.  We  preserved  14  specimens  of  the  present  species, 
which  range  from  42  to  275  mm.  in  length.  This  species  and  P.  horrens 
are  rather  closely  related,  yet  upon  careful  inspection  numerous  minor 
differences  are  noticed.  The  most  evident  character  differentiating  the 
two  species  is  the  difference  in  the  scales.  P.  ruscarius  has  firm  and 
strongly  ctenoid  scales  which  are  decidedly  rough  to  the  touch  when 
the  fingers  are  passed  over  them  from  the  tail  forward.  The  scales  in 
P.  horrens  are  less  firm,  thinner  and  only  slightly  ctenoid,  never  rough 
to  the  touch.  The  anal  fin  constantly  has  one  more  ray  in  P.  ruscarius, 
not  2  as  stated  by  Gilbert  &  Starks.  The  last  2  rays  of  the  anal  are 
very  close  together  in  both  species  and  it  is  probable  that  in  one 
instance  these  closely  connected  rays  were  counted  as  I  and  in  the 
other  as  2.  Gilbert  &  Starks  also  give  a  difference  of  I  ray  in  the  soft 
dorsal  for  these  species,  but  all  of  our  specimens  of  both  species  have 
12  rays.  It,  again,  is  quite  probable  that  in  P.  ruscarius  the  last  2 
rays  of  this  fin  which  also  are  closely  connected  were  counted  as  2 
while  in  P.  horrens  they  were  considered  as  I  ray.  The  adults  of  P. 
ruscarius  have  2  spines  over  the  posterior  part  of  orbit,  a  minute  spine 
projecting  into  a  notch  in  the  immediate  bony  rim  of  orbit  and  a  larger 
one  farther  removed.  The  young,  however,  have  a  single  spine  as  in 
P.  horrens.  The  vomerine  teeth  in  P.  ruscarius  are  in  2  patches,  usually 
being  well  separated  on  median  line,  while  in  P.  horrens  they  are  in  a 
continuous  band.  P.  ruscarius  has  somewhat  coarser  sculptering  on  the 
head,  the  spines  are  all  somewhat  longer  and  stronger,  and  the  inter- 
orbital  is  more  deeply  concave.  These  differences,  however,  are  evident 
only  when  specimens  of  like  size  are  compared.  The  emargination  of 
the  snout  does  not  appear  to  be  of  specific  value,  as  it  varies  greatly  in 
both  species. 

Known  from  Magdalena  Bay,  L.  C.,  to  Panama  Bay.  The  specimens 
at  hand  were  taken  at  Chame  Point,  Taboga  Island,  Balboa  and 
Panama. 

615.  Prionotus  horrens  Richardson. 

Prionotus  horrens  Richardson,  in  Hinds,  Zool.  Voy.  Sulphur,  Ichth,  1845, 

79,  PI.  XLII,  figs.  1-3  (Gulf  of  Fonseca)  ;  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit. 

Mus.,  II,  1860,  195;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       853 

XLVII,  1898,  2172  (in  part)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 
Sci.,  IV,  1904,  162  (Panama). 

Head  2.25  to  2.5 ;  depth  3.5  to  4.1 ;  D.  X-I2 ;  A.  10 ;  scales  93  to  105. 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed  anteriorly;  head  moderately  short, 
somewhat  broader  than  deep  at  nape;  snout  broader  than  long,  2.1  to 
2.28  in  head ;  eye  4.8  to  6.75 ;  interorbital  moderately  concave,  3.55  to 
4.15;  mouth  broad;  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  anterior  margin  of 
eye,  except  in  young,  2.05  to  2.25  in  head ;  vomerine  teeth  in  one 
continuous  band,  the  band  not  interrupted  on  median  line ;  a  prominent 
ridge  from  margin  of  snout  to  preopercular  spine,  serrate  on  snout 
and  with  4  flat  spines  on  side  of  head  behind  serrations,  these  spines, 
as  well  as  all  the  others  on  the  head,  proportionately  much  larger  in 
the  young  than  in  the  adult;  supraorbital  elevated,  bearing  2  spines, 
one  over  the  anterior  and  one  over  the  posterior  part  of  eye,  each  close  to 
the  orbital  rim  and  without  accessary  spine  at  base ;  ridges  and  granules 
moderately  coarse;  gill-rakers  rather  slender,  only  5  or  6  developed  on 
the  lower  limb  of  anterior  arch;  scales  small,  thin,  feebly  ctenoid,  not 
rough  to  the  touch,  wanting  on  anterior  part  of  breast  and  usually  along 
base  of  ventrals,  those  present  being  more  or  less  embedded ;  spinous 
dorsal  moderately  elevated,  its  origin  slightly  in  advance  of  margin  of 
opercle,  the  second  or  third  spine  longest,  a  little  longer  than  the  longest 
soft  rays,  but  scarcely  as  long  as  snout,  the  posterior  spine  or  tubercle 
very  short,  caudal  fin  slightly  concave,  the  upper  rays  longest;  anal  fin 
similar  to  soft  dorsal,  its  origin  a  little  behind  origin  of  the  latter; 
ventral  fins  moderate,  failing  to  reach  vent,  except  in  young,  inserted 
a  little  behind  base  of  lower  rays  of  pectorals;  pectoral  fins  short, 
reaching  about  opposite  vent,  3.1  to  3.7  in  body. 

Color  in  alcohol  dusky  brown  above,  pale  below;  an  obscure  broad 
dark  bar  extending  downward  from  anterior  part  of  spinous  dorsal, 
a  second  and  more  distinct  one  from  posterior  part  of  soft  dorsal; 
a  dusky  shade  on  cheek,  extending  downward  to  behind  tip  of  maxillary ; 
spinous  dorsal,  anteriorly  at  least,  dusky;  soft  dorsal  pale,  with  dark 
margin  on  membranes  and  usually  with  faint  dark  spots;  caudal  fin 
with  large  black  spots,  the  distal  portion  of  the  membranes  black;  anal 
fin  white ;  ventral  fins  colorless,  or  a  little  dusky  at  tips ;  pectoral  fins 
dusky  or  black,  with  large  pale  blotch  on  distal  third  of  the  median 
connected  rays ;  body  almost  wholly  brick-red  in  life. 

We  preserved  14  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  146  to  235  mm. 
This  species  is  rather  common  and  it  is  frequently  seen  in  the  market. 
Its  commercial  value,  however,  is  small. 


854     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Recorded  from  the  Gulf  of  Fonseca  and  Panama  Bay.  Our 
specimens  were  partly  bought  in  the  Panama  City  market  and  partly 
taken  by  the  use  of  dynamite  along  the  rocky  shores  of  the  small  islands 
near  Balboa. 

616.  Prionotus  xenisma  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Prionotus  xenisma  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  169 

(Albatross  Stations,  2795  and  2805,  in  Panama  Bay,  33  and  51^2 

fathoms)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2154;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  162. 

Head  2.5  to  2.65;  depth  3.35  to  3.5;  D.  VII-n ;  A.  10;  scales  60  to 
70 ;  pores  35  to  40. 

Body  short  and  robust,  little  compressed ;  head  short  and  high ;  snout 
short  and  broad,  its  breadth  greater  than  its  length,  its  anterior  margin 
deeply  emarginate,  its  length  2.65  in  head ;  eye  4 ;  interorbital  narrow, 
deeply  concave,  6  to  6.5  in  head ;  mouth  small ;  maxillary  not  reaching 
front  of  eye,  3  to  3.35  in  head;  band  of  palatine  teeth  rather  broad; 
orbital  rim  elevated,  its  edges  granular,  serrate;  no  distinct  preorbital 
spine ;  a  groove  across  top  of  head  behind  the  blunt  supraorbital  spine ; 
occipital  ridges  present,  the  outer  granular  and  not  spinous,  the  inner 
elevated  into  a  short  spine;  temporal  region  with  a  roughish  ridge 
with  two  bluntish  prominences ;  no  spines  on  suborbital ;  preopercular 
spine  large  and  strong,  with  a  smaller  spine  at  its  base ;  opercular  spine 
long  and  sharp;  humeral  spine  usually  larger  than  opercular;  gill- 
rakers  short  and  slender,  about  equal  to  .6  of  pupil ;  scales  rather 
small,  about  equal  in  size  on  breast  and  belly,  extending  beyond  base  of 
pectorals,  forming  an  obtuse  angle  anteriorly  on  breast;  spinous  dorsal 
high,  the  first  spine  longest,  1.75  to  1.8  in  head;  the  anterior  margin 
of  the  first  three  spines  with  numerous  granules ;  longest  ray  of  second 
dorsal  shorter  than  snout,  3.15  in  head;  caudal  slightly  lunate,  1.75  in 
head;  longest  anal  ray  3.65  in  head;  ventrals  reaching  anal;  pectorals 
quite  short,  reaching  fifth  ray  of  second  dorsal,  3  in  body. 

Coloration  in  spirits  grayish  (probably  red  in  life)  ;  dusky  above 
and  irregularly  mottled ;  a  distinct  dark  spot  before  base  of  caudal ; 
dorsal  dusky,  with  a  large,  black,  ocellated  spot  between  fourth  and 
fifth  spines ;  dorsal  spines  with  a  row  of  dark  spots  on  their  anterior 
margin;  soft  dorsal  with  3  rows  of  dark  spots;  caudal  barred  with 
dusky;  anal  and  ventrals  pale;  pectorals  blackish,  a  few  of  the  upper 
rays  pale  on  the  inner  side. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  was  com- 
piled from  published  accounts.  It  probably  does  not  frequent  the 
shallow  water  of  the  shores. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       855 

Known  only  from  Panama  Bay  where  many  specimens  were 
dredged  by  the  Albatross  in  33  and  51^  fathoms  at  Stations  2795 
and  2805. 

617.  Prionotus  loxias  Jordan. 

Prionotus  birostratus  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889, 

170  (not  of  Richardson). 
Prionotus  loxias  Jordan,  in  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1896,  452 

(Albatross  Station  2805,  Panama  Bay,  51^  fathoms)  ;  Jordan  & 

Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.   Mus.,  XLVII,   1898,  2155;  Gilbert 

&  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  162. 

Head  2.5;  depth  3.5;  D.  X-io  or  n  ;  A.  10;  scales  about  50. 

Body  stout ;  head  large,  rough ;  snout  broad,  slightly  emarginate 
at  tip,  2.5  in  head ;  eye  3.75  to  4  in  head ;  interorbital  narrow,  its  ridge 
evenly  concave,  2.65  in  eye;  mouth  moderate;  maxillary  not  reaching 
front  of  orbit,  2.65  in  head ;  teeth  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer,  and 
palatines ;  supraorbital  ridge  prominent,  with  a  bluntish  spine  before 
and  behind ;  occipital  ridges  a  short  distance  behind  supraorbital  ones, 
ending  in  a  bluntish  spine  as  also  the  nuchal  ridges ;  preorbital  edge 
prominent,  finely  denticulated;  a  transverse  groove  on  head  behind 
eye ;  no  spine  at  center  of  radiation  of  cheek ;  preopercular  spine 
without  smaller  one  in  front;  opercular  spine  strong,  nearly  as  large 
as  preopercular  spine;  humeral  spine  small,  not  half  as  large  as  either 
of  the  others ;  gill-rakers  short,  about  10  below  angle ;  breast  closely 
scaled;  first  dorsal  spine  longest,  serrate  in  front,  1.8  in  head;  first 
dorsal  ray  slightly  serrulate  at  base,  3  in  head;  caudal  lunate,  with 
pointed  lobes,  1.75  in  head;  longest  anal  ray  4  in  head;  ventrals  long, 
almost  reaching  tips  of  pectorals;  pectorals  short,  scarcely  longer  than 
longest  detached  ray,  3.5  in  body. 

Color  brownish  above,  grayish  below;  head  and  anterior  parts 
more  or  less  distinctly  vermiculated  with  dark  olivaceous,  these  mark- 
ings especially  distinct  on  bones  of  head;  sides  with  6  to  15  narrow 
oblique  bands  extending  downward  and  backward  about  half  way  to 
anal  fin,  these  obsolete  or  less  conspicuous  on  anterior  portion  of 
body;  both  dorsals  mottled  with  olive;  caudal  with  3  broad  blackish 
bars,  not  crossing  the  upper  and  lower  ray,  the  last  bar  broad  and  very 
conspicuous ;  no  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal ;  anal  and  ventrals  white ; 
pectorals  blackish,  faintly  barred  and  margined  with  white. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.     The  above  description  was  com- 
piled from  published  accounts. 


856     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Known  only  from  the  types  dredged  in  Panama  Bay  by  the  Alba- 
tross at  Station  2805  in  51^2  fathoms. 

618.  Prionotus  aspersus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXIII.) 

Type  No.  81613,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  135  mm.;  Mindi  Cut,  Canal 
Zone. 

Head  2.5  to  2.7;  depth  4.1  to  5.7;  D.  X-I2;  A.  n;  scales  95  to 
100;  pores  50  to  54. 

Body  elongate,  the  width  and  depth  equal  at  origin  of  dorsal; 
head  moderate,  depressed  below;  snout  rather  broad,  emarginate,  2.1 
to  2.3  in  head ;  eye  4.95  to  5.7 ;  interorbital  rather  deeply  concave,  7.5 
to  9  in  head;  mouth  large,  horizontal,  the  gape  nearly  as  broad  as 
long;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  anterior  margin  of  eye, 
2.35  to  2.6  in  head;  teeth  villiform,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and 
palatines ;  the  bands  on  jaws  somewhat  broader  than  those  on  palatines ; 
supraorbital  raised,  with  a  prominent  spine  posteriorly;  preocular 
margin  serrate,  the  uppermost  spines  enlarged;  suborbital  stay  without 
a  spine  at  center  of  radiation  on  cheek,  ending  in  a  prominent  spine 
on  preopercular  margin,  with  a  smaller  spine  at  its  base ;  opercle  with  a 
single  strong  keeled  spine;  a  strong  spine  on  shoulder  girdle  above 
base  of  pectoral;  occipital  region  with  3  spines  on  each  side  and  no 
cross-groove;  gill-rakers  slender,  the  longest  scarcely  half  as  long  as 
eye,  about  8  more  or  less  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch; 
pseudobranchiae  well  developed;  scales  rather  small,  none  on  head, 
those  on  chest  more  or  less  embedded;  lateral  line  prominent,  without 
modified  scales ;  dorsal  fins  separate ;  the  origin  of  first  dorsal  over 
base  of  upper  rays  of  pectorals,  the  spines  rather  high,  the  first  shorter 
than  the  second,  scarcely  serrulate  in  front,  the  second  spine  about  2 
in  head,  higher  than  the  longest  soft  rays;  caudal  fin  moderate,  the 
margin  straight  or  slightly  truncate;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dor- 
sal and  opposite  it;  ventral  fins  moderate,  inserted  under  base  of  pec- 
torals; pectoral  fins  with  3  free  slender  tapering  rays,  the  connected 
rays  the  longest,  reaching  past  middle  of  base  of  dorsal,  2.2  to  2.4  in 
body. 

Color  of  fresh  specimens  olive-green  above,  reddish  below;  sides 
of  body  with  brownish  red  spots,  forming  indistinct  bars;  a  reddish 
band  on  lip,  extending  backward  over  branchiostegals ;  mouth  red 
within;  pectorals  bright  blue;  anal  fin  red;  ventrals  reddish  yellow. 
Color  of  the  back  in  alcohol  brownish ;  lower  parts  pale ;  indistinct 
and  irregular  dark  spots  on  sides ;  a  dusky  spot  behind  end  of  maxil- 
lary; membranes  of  spinous  dorsal  dusky;  the  rays  of  soft  dorsal  and 


2   E 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       857 

caudal  with  dusky  spots,  forming  cross-bars ;  anal,  ventrals  and  free 
rays  of  pectorals  colorless  or  slightly  dusky;  pectoral  fins  in  some 
specimens  wholly  black,  in  others  with  a  few  indefinite  pale  spots,  the 
upper  ray  and  the  tips  sometimes  white. 

Six  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  113  to  140  mm.,  were  taken. 
The  species  inhabits  shallow  water  with  muddy  bottom.  It  is  perhaps 
more  closely  related  to  P.  evolans  (Linnaeus)  than  any  other  known 
form,  from  which  it,  however,  differs  in  several  respects,  viz.,  shorter 
snout,  narrower  interorbital,  fewer  gill-rakers  and  in  color. 

Our  specimens  are  from  Mindi  Cut,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

619.  Prionotus  quiescens  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Prionotus  quiescens  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889, 
1 66  (Albatross  Stations  2800,  2801,  2802,  and  2805,  in  Panama  Bay, 
7  to  51^2  fathoms) ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2161 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 
1904,  162. 

Head  2.5  to  2.75 ;  depth  4  to  4.5 ;  D.  X-I2;  A.  n ;  scales  in  lateral 
line  50  to  55,  in  a  longitudinal  series  60  to  70. 

Body  rather  slender,  compressed;  head  moderately  elongate,  not 
elevated;  snout  broad,  of  about  equal  length  and  breadth,  anterior 
margin  emarginate,  2.5  to  2.65  in  head ;  eye  4.65  to  5 ;  interorbital  not 
deeply  concave,  rather  wide,  4.65  to  5  in  head;  mouth  rather  large; 
maxillary  reaching  slightly  beyond  anterior  margin  of  orbit,  2.5  in 
head;  band  of  palatine  teeth  narrow;  orbital  rim  not  especially  ele- 
vated, its  edges  granulated,  especially  anteriorly;  preorbital  and  post- 
orbital  spines  small  and  blunt ;  no  groove  across  head  behind  orbits ; 
occipital  ridges  present,  inner  very  low,  ending  in  a  very  small  spine; 
outer  ridge  large,  ending  in  a  moderate  spine;  temporal  region  with  a 
slightly  elevated  roughish  ridge  but  no  spine;  no  spine  on  suborbital 
stay;  preopercular  spine  long  and  sharp,  its  anterior  edge  somewhat 
serrulate,  no  smaller  spine  below  it;  opercular  and  humeral  spines 
sharp,  well  developed ;  only  3  distinct  spines  on  each  side  of  the  head, 
occipital,  opercular  and  preopercular;  gill-rakers  long  and  slender, 
about  equal  to  ^  diameter  of  eye,  8  to  10  well  developed ;  scales  quite 
small,  those  on  breast  between  ventrals  larger  than  those  on  belly  and 
throat;  scales  extending  beyong  base  of  pectorals  to  isthmus;  spinous 
dorsal  rather  low,  the  first  spine  not  strongly  serrulate,  24  length  of 
second,  the  latter  2.5  in  head;  first  ray  of  second  dorsal  weakly  ser- 
rulate at  base ;  longest  ray  shorter  than  snout  and  slightly  less  than  3 
in  head;  caudal  lunate,  1.5  to  1.65  in  head;  longest  anal  ray  3.5  in 


858    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

head;  ventrals  reaching  vent;  pectorals  reaching  last  dorsal  ray,  2  in 
body. 

Coloration  in  spirits  grayish,  unspotted,  more  dusky  above  than  be- 
low ;  spinous  dorsal  dusky,  a  distinct  black  spot  between  fifth  and  sixth 
spines ;  soft  dorsal  with  3  rows  of  diffuse  spots ;  caudal  dusky  on  outer 
portion  and  at  base ;  ventrals  and  anals  pale ;  pectorals  mostly  black,  with 
faint  pale  cloudings ;  body  largely  red  in  life. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  was  com- 
piled from  published  accounts. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  to  Panama  Bay.  The  "types" 
were  dredged  by  the  Albatross  in  Panama  Bay  in  depths  of  7  to  51  */* 
fathoms. 

620.  Prionotus  albirostris  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Prionotus  albirostris  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889, 

1 68  (Albatross  Station  2795,  Panama  Bay,  33  fathoms)  ;  Jordan  & 

Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2163;  Gilbert  & 

Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  162. 

Head  3 ;  depth  4.5 ;  D.  X-I2 ;  A.  1 1 ;  pores  in  lateral  line  50  to  55. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  little  compressed ;  head  rather  short  and 
high;  snout  broad,  its  breadth  at  angle  of  mouth  almost  equal  to  its 
length,  2.3  in  head,  its  anterior  margin  not  produced  but  slightly  emar- 
ginate;  eye  4.5  in  head;  interorbital  space  narrow,  deeply  concave, 
smoother  than  rest  of  head,  its  width  6.5  in  head;  mouth  moderate; 
maxillary  not  reaching  front  of  eye,  2.75  in  head ;  band  of  palatine  teeth 
rather  broad ;  orbital  rim  elevated,  with  coarse  spine-like  striae  in  front, 
inner  largest  stria  forming"  the  preopercular  spine;  upper  margin  of 
eye  with  strong  serrae  ending  behind  in  a  large  supraocular  spine;  sub- 
orbital  stay  with  an  elevated  serrulate  ridge,  but  no  spine ;  occipital  ridges 
strong,  the  inner  pair  with  a  few  points  at  base,  ending  in  a  compressed 
spine,  the  outer  with  strong  serrae  at  base,  and  extending  to  opposite  first 
dorsal  spine ;  temporal  ridge  slightly  crenulate,  with  2  blunt  spines ;  no 
groove  across  head  behind  eyes ;  preopercular  spine  without  a  smaller  one 
at  base,  but  with  a  sharp  ridge  before  it,  edge  serrulate ;  opercular  spine 
small  and  blunt,  smaller  than  the  strong  humeral  spine;  gill-rakers 
rather  short,  the  longest  less  than  Yz  eye,  5  most  strongly  developed ; 
scales  strong,  smaller  on  belly  than  on  breast,  not  extending  before  a 
line  drawn  between  base  of  pectorals  and  ventrals ;  spinous  dorsal  mod- 
erately high,  the  first  spine  very  strongly  serrulate  in  front,  shorter  than 
the  second,  the  latter  2  in  head ;  first  ray  of  second  dorsal  serrulate  at 
base,  the  longest  ray  very  slightly  longer  than  snout ;  longest  anal  ray  3 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       859 

in  head;  caudal  subtruncate,  1.3  in  head;  ventrals  reaching  third  anal 
ray ;  pectorals  long,  reaching  to  the  last  dorsal  ray  or  farther  in  young, 
1.9  in  body. 

Color  in  spirits  grayish,  unspotted,  darkest  above  and  with  darker 
cross  shades ;  snout  and  jaws  white ;  the  tip  of  each  jaw,  a  bar  across 
each  jaw,  and  one  behind  angle  of  mouth  black;  a  black  bar  on  anterior 
and  another  on  posterior  part  of  interorbital,  the  latter  extending  across 
cheek;  first  dorsal  dusky,  vaguely  clouded  with  darker;  second  irregu- 
larly spotted,  its  posterior  half  dusky ;  caudal  broadly  black  at  base  and 
tip,  its  middle  part  yellowish;  pectorals  dark,  with  a  slight  violet  shade 
and  traces  of  darker  mottlings ;  middle  of  anal  dusky ;  ventrals  dusky 
on  upper  surface. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  taken 
from  published  accounts. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  to  Panama  Bay.  The  "types" 
were  dredged  in  Panama  Bay  by  the  Albatross  at  Station  2795,  in  33 
fathoms. 

Family  LXXIII.  Cephalacanthidae. 

THE  FLYING  GURNARDS. 

Body  elongate,  rather  broad ;  sides  rather  vertical ;  head  blunt,  quad- 
rangular, nearly  the  entire  surface  bony ;  the  bones  about  the  eye  united 
into  a  shield;  a  long  bony  process  ending  in  a  sharp  spine,  extend- 
ing backward  from  nape  to  or  beyond  origin  of  dorsal;  preorbital  pro- 
jecting beyond  the  jaws ;  preopercle  extending  backward  as  a  long  round 
spine,  reaching  beyond  the  base  of  ventrals ;  mouth  small,  inferior ;  teeth 
granular,  present  only  on  the  jaws ;  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  sides ; 
pseudobranchiae  large;  scales  small,  keeled;  dorsal  fin  consisting  of 
slender  spines  and  rays;  pectoral  fins  greatly  enlarged,  divided  into  2 
sections,  the  inner  section  much  the  longer.  This  family  contains  4  or 
5  genera,  with  a  single  representative  in  American  waters. 

220.  Genus  Cephalacanthus  Lacepede. 

Cephalacanthus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  Ill,  1802,  323  (type  Gas- 

terosteus  spinarella  Linnaeus). 
Dactylopterus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  Ill,  1802,  325  (type  Dactyl- 

opterus  pirapeda  Lacepede  =  Trigla  volitans  Linnaeus). 
Cephacandia  Rafinesque,  Analyse.  Nat.,  etc.,  1815,  85   (substitute  for 

Cephalacanthus  Lacepede). 


86o    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Gonocephalus  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  105  (type  Gonocephalus  macro- 

cephalus  Gronow  =  Trigla  volitans  Linnaeus). 

The  characters  of  the  genus  are  included  in  the  description  of  the 
family.  The  flying  gurnards  possess  the  power  of  flight,  but  to  a  much 
less  degree  than  the  true  flying  fishes. 

621.  Cephalacanthus  volitans  (Linnaeus). 

Trigla  volitans  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  I,  1758,  302  (after  Artedi, 
"Mari  Mediterraneo,  Oceano,  Pelago  inter  tropicos,  in  Asia,  im- 
primis, ad  Cap.  b.  Spei,  saepe  agitata  evolans  ex  aqua."). 
Trigla  tentabunda  Walbaum,  Artedi  Piscium,  Pt.  Ill,  1792,  362. 
Dactylopterus  pirapeda  Lacepede,  Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,   Ill,    1802,  326 

(Mediterranean  and  almost  all  warm  seas). 
Callionymus  pelagicus  Rafinesque,  Amer.  Monthly  Mag.,  II,  Jan.,  1818, 

205  (Atlantic  Ocean). 
Dactylopterus  volitans  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV, 

1829,  117;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136  (Colon). 
Gonocephalus  macrocephalus  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  106  (Pelagic). 
Cephalacanthus  volitans  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2183,  PI-  CCCXXIII,  fig.  778. 

Head  3.65  to  3.9;  depth  5.25  to  5.5;  D.  II-IV-8;  A.  6;  scales  from 
upper  angle  of  gill-opening  to  base  of  caudal  56  to  60. 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  depressed;  head  low,  quadrate;  snout 
blunt,  2.55  to  3  in  head;  eye  2.7  to  3.2;  interorbital  broad,  deeply  con- 
cave, 1.45  to  1.95  in  head;  mouth  inferior,  horizontal;  maxillary  reach- 
ing anterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.75  to  3.1  in  head;  teeth  blunt,  2  tri- 
angular patches  on  upper  jaw,  2  more  elongate  patches  on  lower  jaw, 
patches  on  each  jaw  well  separated  at  symphysis;  gill-openings  re- 
stricted to  the  sides;  preopercular  spine  reaching  base  of  pectoral  but 
shorter  than  occipital  spine ;  no  lateral  line ;  scales  moderate,  with  prom- 
inent ridges ;  dorsal  fin  in  3  parts,  the  first  consisting  of  2  slender  free 
spines,  the  second  consisting  of  4  connected  spines,  decreasing  rapidly 
in  length  posteriorly,  the  third  consisting  of  8  soft  rays;  caudal  fin 
deeply  concave ;  anal  fin  of  soft  rays  only,  its  origin  a  little  behind  that 
of  the  soft  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  slender,  inserted  under  posterior  part  of 
base  of  pectorals,  the  longest  ray  about  equal  to  length  of  head ;  pectoral 
fins  very  long,  reaching  to  or  beyond  base  of  caudal,  1.2  to  1.35  in  body. 
Color  of  a  fresh  specimen  dark  brown  above,  the  scales  with  yellow 
margins ;  yellowish  below ;  dorsal,  caudal,  anal  and  ventrals  mostly  yel- 
low; pectorals  dark  brown,  with  deep  blue  spots  near  outer  margin, 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       861 

the  margin  itself  blue,  the  tips  of  rays  yellow;  the  short  detached  rays 
of  pectorals  yellowish,  with  5  or  6  blue  cross-bars ;  the  fin  largely  deep- 
blue  underneath ;  the  rays  of  soft  dorsal  and  caudal  with  dark  spots. 

This  species  is  represented  by  5  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
no  to  210  mm. 

Known  from  both  coasts  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  straying  north  as 
far  as  Woods  Hole,  Massachusetts.  Our  specimens  are  from  Colon 
and  Porto  Bello. 

Family  LXXIV.    Gobiidze. 

THE  GOBIES. 

Body  elongate;  mouth  various,  moderate  or  large;  premaxillaries 
protractile;  skin  of  head  continuous  with  covering  of  eyes;  eyes  large 
or  small,  some  species  blind;  opercle  unarmed;  preopercle  unarmed 
or  with  a  single  spine ;  pseudobranchiae  present ;  gills  4 ;  gill-membranes 
united  to  the  isthmus ;  lateral  line  absent ;  scales  present  or  wanting ;  air 
bladder  usually  wanting;  dorsal  fins  2,  separate  or  united,  the  spinous 
part  least  developed;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  caudal  rounded  or 
pointed,  not  concave  or  forked;  ventral  fins  thoracic,  either  close 
together  or  united  so  as  to  form  a  sucking  disk;  pectorals  large  or 
small. 

This  is  a  large  family,  consisting  for  the  most  part  of  small  carniv- 
orous shore  fishes,  found  in  the  warmer  waters  of  all  parts  of  the  world. 
Only  a  few  of  the  species  reach  sufficient  size  to  be  of  commercial  im- 
portance. Great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  the  arrangement  of  the 
genera.  The  fresh  water  species  of  this  family  occurring  in  Panama 
waters  have  been  discussed  by  us  in  an  earlier  paper  (Field  Mus.  Nat. 
Hist.  Pub.,  Zool.  Sen,  X,  1916,  pp.  349  to  370).  The  salt  water  species 
on  the  coasts  of  Panama  are  all  small  and  of  no  value  as  food. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Ventral  fins  separate. 

b.  Anterior  half  of  body  naked;  caudal  fin  without  procurrent 
rays ;  preopercle  probably  without  spine  at  angle. 

Gymneleotris,  p.  863. 

bb.  Anterior  half  of  body  for  the  most  part  scaly;  caudal  fin  with 
many  procurrent  rays  at  base ;  preopercle  with  a  concealed  hook 
at  angle.  Erptelis,  p.  864. 

aa.     Ventral  fins  united,  forming  a  sucking  disk. 


862     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

c.  A  prominent  dermal  crest  extending  from  interorbital  area  to 
origin  of  dorsal;  pectorals  without  free  silk-like  rays. 

Lophogobius,  p.  866. 
cc.     Dermal  crest  wanting. 

d.  Tongue  anteriorly  with  an  evident  notch ;  pectoral  fins  with  free 
silk-like  rays  above.  Bathygobius,  p.  867. 

dd.     Tongue  not  notched ;  pectoral  fins  without  free  silk-like  rays. 

e.  Teeth  in  both  jaws  in  a  single  series. 

f.  Teeth  in  a  wide-set  series;  dorsal  fin  single,  continuous;  the 
dorsal  and  anal  more  or  less  joined  to  the  caudal. 

Tyntlastes,  p.  869. 
ff.  Teeth  in  a  single  series,  more  or  less  compressed,  incisor-like 

or  notched  at  the  tips ;  dorsal  fins  separate ;  the  soft  dorsal  and 

anal  not  joined  to  the  caudal.  Evorthodus,  p.  869. 

ee.  Teeth  in  the  lower  jaw  in  2  or  more  series  or  in  a  band,  never 

in  a  single  series ;  those  of  the  upper  jaws  various,  in  a  single 

or  few  series  or  in  a  band. 

g.  Teeth  in  upper  jaw  in  I  or  2  series ;  those  in  the  lower  jaw  in  2 
or  more  series  or  in  a  band. 

h.       Teeth  in  both  jaws  in  2  series ;  first  dorsal  with  7  or  8  spines. 

Microgobius,  p.  871. 
hh.     Teeth  in  upper  jaw  in  a  single  series,  those  in  the  lower  jaw  in 

a  narrow  band ;  dorsal  with  6  spines.          Euctenogobius,  p.  874. 
gg.     Teeth  in  both  jaws  in  several  series  or  in  bands, 
i.        Dorsal  fins  separate;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  not  joined  to  the 

caudal, 
j.       Teeth  in  the  jaws  in  narrow  bands,  the  outer  series  in  upper  jaw 

usually  well  separated  from  the  others  by  an  interspace;  scales 

posteriorly  ctenoid,  usually  wanting  on  head;  dorsal  spines  6, 

rarely  7.  Gobionellus,  p.  8/6. 

jj.     Teeth  in  the  jaws  in  several  series  or  in  a  band,  the  outer  series 

in  upper  jaw  not  conspicuously  separated  from  the  others  by  an 

interspace ;  dorsal  spines  either  4  or  7,  rarely  6. 
k.       Shoulder  girdle  without  dermal  flaps ;  first  dorsal  usually  with  7 

spines. 
1.        Scales  large,  ctenoid,  present  on  entire  body,  present  or  wanting 

on  head, 
m.      Scales  present  on  top  of  head,  cheeks,  and  opercles ;  soft  dorsal 

and  anal  each  with  about  15  rays;  dorsal  spines  filamentous. 

Bollmannia,  p.  885. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       863 

mm.  Scales  wanting  on  head;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  10  or 
12  rays ;  dorsal  spines  short,  not  filamentous.  Aboma,  p.  887. 

11.  Scales  small  or  wanting;  occurring  only  on  posterior  part  of 
body,  if  present. 

n.  Four  barbels  present  about  the  mouth;  both  pairs  of  nostrils 
ending  in  a  short  tube. 

o.       Body  scaled  posteriorly.  Enypnias,  p.  887. 

oo.     Body  entirely  naked.  Gerhardinus  gen.  nov.,  p.  889. 

nn.     No  barbels  about  the  mouth ;  nostrils  not  ending  in  a  tube. 

p.       Scales  present  on  posterior  part  of  body ;  mouth  oblique. 

Garmannia,  p.  889. 

pp.     Scales  entirely  wanting ;  mouth  horizontal.       Gobiosoma,  p.  891. 

kk.  Shoulder  girdle  with  rather  long,  flexible  dermal  flaps ;  dorsal 
spines  4;  scales  very  small,  not  evident  except  under  magni- 
fication. Evermannia,  p.  891. 

ii.  Dorsal  fins  continuous ;  the  soft  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  16  to 
22  rays,  joined  to  the  base  of  the  caudal.  Gobioides,  p.  894. 

221.  Genus  Gymneleotris  Bleeker. 

Gymneleotris  Bleeker,  Arch.   Neerl.   Sci.   Nat.,  IX,   1874,  304    (type 

Eleotris  seminudus  Giinther) . 

"Body  scaled  only  posteriorly,  the  anterior  half  and  the  head  naked. 
Ventrals  separate,  I,  5.  Vomer  without  teeth.  Isthmus  broad;  skull 
without  crests.  Lower  jaw  with  4  large  recurved  teeth.  Otherwise 
essentially  as  in  Eleotris,  the  preopercle  probably  without  spine."  (Jor- 
dan &  Evermann.) 

622.  Gymneleotris  seminudus  (Giinther). 

Eleotris  seminudus  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1864,  24>  PI-  IV, 

figs.  2  &  2a  (Panama). 
Gymneleotris  seminudus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2204;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,    170;    Kendall    &    RadclifTe,    Memoir.    Mus.    Comp.    Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  146  (Acapulco,  Mex.). 

"Head  3^.  D.  VII-n  ;  A.  9.  Head  depressed,  broader  than  high, 
flat  above.  Snout  rather  obtuse,  longer  than  eye,  lower  jaw  somewhat 
prominent;  cleft  of  mouth  extending  to  below  anterior  margin  of  orbit. 
Teeth  in  upper  jaw  in  a  narrow  band,  the  lower  having  4  somewhat 
larger  and  recurved  teeth  in  front,  appearing  to  form  a  single  series; 
palate  toothless.  None  of  the  fin  rays  prolonged;  pectoral  not  quite 
extending  to  origin  of  second  dorsal ;  ventral  much  shorter  than  pectoral, 


864     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

its  inner  ray  the  longest,  the  others  gradually  decreasing  in  length  out- 
ward; caudal  fin  rounded.  Head  and  trunk  naked;  tail  covered  with 
small  scales.  Brown,  with  numerous  well  defined  white  cross-stripes  on 
head  as  well  as  on  body ;  vertical  fins  black." 

This  species  is  known  from  the  type,  a  specimen  about  45  mm.  in 
length,  taken  at  Panama,  and  from  a  specimen  about  33  mm.  in  length 
from  Acapulco,  Mexico. 

The  above  description  is  copied  from  Jordan  &  Evermann  (Bull. 
U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  p.  2204). 

222.  Genus  Erotelis  Poey. 

Erotelis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,   1861,  272   (type  Erotelis  valenciennesi 

Poey  =  Eleotris  smaragdus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Alexurus  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  511    (type 

Alexurus  armiger  Jordan). 

Body  elongate;  preopercle  with  a  broad  concealed  hooked  spine  at 
its  angle ;  scales  small,  cycloid ;  caudal  fin  broad,  with  many  procurrent 
rays  at  base;  ventral  fins  separate.  Two  apparently  closely  related 
species  are  known. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Second  dorsal  with  13  rays;  anal  n  ;  maxillary  reaching  below 
middle  of  eye.  armiger,  p.  864. 

aa.  Second  dorsal  with  1 1  rays ;  anal  10 ;  maxillary  reaching  anterior 
margin  of  eye.  smaragdus,  p.  865. 

623.  Erotelis  armiger  (Jordan). 

Alexurus  armiger  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  511, 
PI.  LXVIII    (La  Paz,  Lower  California)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann, 
Bull.  U.  S.   Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,   1898,  2203;  Gilbert  &  Starks, 
Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  170  (Panama  Bay). 
Head  3.9;  depth  7.3;  D.  VI-I3;  A.  II,  9;  scales  about  102. 
Body  long  and  low,  compressed  posteriorly,  depressed  anteriorly; 
head  broad  and  flat;  snout  short,  6.5  in  head;  eye  small,  high  up,  8  in 
head;  mouth  moderate,  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  heavy,  projecting; 
maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye,  3.25  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in 
broad  villiform  bands,  the  outer  one  in  each  jaw  enlarged,  those  in  the 
upper  jaw  increasing  in  size  laterally,  those  in  the  lower  jaw  present 
only  anteriorly;  preopercle  with  a  concealed  hook  at  its  angle;  gill- 
membranes   rather   narrowly   attached   to   the   isthmus;   scales    small, 
cycloid ;  top  of  head,  cheeks  and  opercle  with  very  small  scales,  some  of 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       865 

them  partly  embedded ;  first  dorsal  rays  low,  slightly  filamentous ;  second 
dorsal  low,  its  last  ray  longest;  caudal  long,  bluntly  pointed,  with 
strongly  procurrent  rays  both  above  and  below;  anal  fin  similar  to  sec- 
ond dorsal;  ventral  fins  short,  inserted  under  base  of  pectorals;  pec- 
toral fins  short,  1.3  in  head. 

Color  brownish,  dusky  above,  paler  below,  but  everywhere  covered 
with  fine  black  dots ;  both  dorsals  with  pale  membranes,  the  rays  barred 
with  black;  caudal  dusky  brown;  anal,  ventrals  and  pectorals  speckled, 
the  pectorals  with  dusky  base. 

This  species  is  represented  by  a  single  specimen,  63  mm.  long,  sent 
by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie.  This  appears  to  be  the  second  specimen  taken 
on  the  coast  of  Panama.  The  previous  Panama  record  was  based  on 
a  specimen  secured  in  1896  by  Prof.  C.  H.  Gilbert  and  associates. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama.  The  specimen  at  hand 
was  taken  at  Chame  Point. 

624.  Erotelis  smaragdus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Eleotris  smaragdus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII,  1837, 

231  (Cuba). 

Erotelis  valenciennesi  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  273  (Cuba). 
Erotelis  smaragdus  Jordan  &  Eigenmann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886, 

484;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2204,  PI.  CCCXXV,  fig.  785;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ. 

Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,  1913,  66  (Natal,  Brazil). 

Head  4.3  to  5.5;  depth  8  to  12;  D.  VI-n  ;  A.  10;  scales  100. 

Body  very  long  and  slender,  compressed  posteriorly ;  head  depressed, 
flat  above ;  eyes  mostly  superior ;  interorbital  area  more  than  2  times  as 
wide  as  eye,  with  a  knob  near  its  middle ;  mouth  very  oblique,  the  lower 
jaw  much  projecting;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye;  teeth 
small,  in  bands ;  scales  very  small,  cycloid ;  dorsal  spines  lower  than  the 
rays  of  second  dorsal;  second  dorsal  rather  high,  the  longest  rays  1.2  in 
head;  caudal  fin  lanceolate,  longer  than  head;  ventral  fins  separate,  2 
in  head. 

Color  very  dark  green,  almost  black,  with  some  dark  markings  about 
the  eye;  fins  mostly  bluish,  the  dorsal  with  brown  lines,  the  pectoral 
with  dark  markings  on  base. 

This  species  was  not  taken  on  the  Panama  coast,  but  its  range  places 
it  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

According  to  Starks  (Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser., 
1913,  p.  66)  this  species  and  E.  armiger  from  the  Pacific  coast  are  closely 
related,  if  not  in  fact  identical.  We  have  not  seen  specimens  of  E. 


866     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

smaragdus  and  our  description  has  been   compiled    from  published 
accounts. 

Known  from  Florida  to  Brazil. 

223.  Genus  Lophogobius  Gill. 

Lophogobius  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  240  (type  Gobius 
cristagalli   Cuvier   &   Valenciennes  =  Gobius   cyprinoides   Pallas). 
Body  short,  rather  deep,  compressed;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  bands; 
scales  large ;  a  prominent  fleshy  median  crest,  extending  from  interorbital 
area  to  origin  of  dorsal;  dorsal  fins  distinct,  the  anterior  with  slender 
filamentous  spines ;  caudal  fin  rounded ;  ventral  fins  fully  united,  form- 
ing a  sucking  disk,  free  from  abdomen. 

625.  Lophogobius  cyprinoides  (Pallas). 

Gobius  cyprinoides  Pallas,  Spicil.  Zool.,  I,  Fasc.  8,  1770,  17,  PI.  I,  fig. 

5  ("Amboina";  probably  from  the  West  Indies). 
Gobius  crista  galli  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII,  1837, 

130  (Havana). 
Lophogobius  cyprinoides  Poey,  Repertorio,  II,   1868,  393 ;  Jordan  & 

Evermann,    Bull.    U.    S.    Nat.    Mus.,    XLVII,    1898,    2209,    PI. 

CCCXXVI,  fig.  786. 

Head  3;  depth  2.88;  D.  VI-io;  A.  9;  scales  27. 

Body  rather  robust,  short,  compressed;  the  back  elevated;  head 
short,  rather  broad ;  snout  short,  bluntish,  4.45  in  head ;  eye  large,  3.35 
in  head ;  interorbital  scarcely  half  as  wide  as  eye ;  mouth  oblique ;  the 
lower  jaw  slightly  projecting;  maxillary  reaching  vertical  from  anterior 
margin  of  pupil,  2.68  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  broad  villiform  bands, 
the  outer  series  in  each  jaw  somewhat  enlarged ;  opercle  and  preopercle 
unarmed ;  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  sides,  broader  than  base  of  pec- 
torals, the  membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus,  forming  a  fold  across 
it;  scales  large,  ctenoid,  wanting  on  head  and  on  median  line  of  nape; 
a  prominent  fleshy  crest  extending  from  interorbital  to  origin  of  dor- 
sal; dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  one  with  slender  filamentous  spines, 
the  median  ones  longest,  shorter  than  head ;  second  dorsal  rather  high, 
the  last  rays  reaching  slightly  past  base  of  caudal ;  caudal  fin  rounded, 
about  as  long  as  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral  fins 
fully  united,  forming  a  sucking  disk,  wholly  free  from  abdomen;  pec- 
toral fins  large,  slightly  pointed,  the  median  rays  longest,  reaching 
beyond  origin  of  anal,  slightly  longer  than  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  uniform  dark  brown,  lower  parts  a  little  paler; 
spinous  dorsal  black ;  the  other  fins  slightly  lighter  than  the  body. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND        867 

We  have  a  single,  poorly  preserved  specimen,  48  mm.  in  length, 
upon  which  we  base  the  foregoing  description.  Our  specimen  appears 
to  be  deeper,  with  a  more  strongly  elevated  back,  than  Cuban  specimens 
with  which  we  compared  it.  Fin  and  scale  counts,  however,  agree  per- 
fectly. 

Previously  recorded  from  Florida  and  the  West  Indies.  Our  speci- 
men was  taken  at  Porto  Bello. 

224.  Genus  Bathygobius  Bleeker. 

Bathygobius  Bleeker,  Arch.  Neerl.   Sci.   Nat.,  XIII,   1878,   54    (type 

Gobius  nebula punctatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Mapo  Smitt,  5fv.  K.  Vet.-Ak.  Forh.,  1899,  551  (type  Gobius  separator 

Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Body  moderately  elongate ;  head  rather  broad,  depressed ;  the  skull 
with  a  low  median  crest;  snout  bluntly  rounded;  eyes  large,  close 
together;  opercle  unarmed;  mouth  moderate,  nearly  horizontal;  teeth 
in  the  jaws  conical,  in  bands,  no  canines ;  tongue  with  a  distinct  notch 
anteriorly ;  scales  moderate,  ctenoid,  wanting  on  cheeks  and  opercles ; 
dorsal  fins  2,  the  first  with  6  or  rarely  with  7  spines ;  caudal  fin  rounded, 
not  produced ;  ventral  fins  fully  united,  free  from  the  abdomen ;  pectoral 
fins  with  free,  silk-like  rays  above. 

626.  Bathygobius  soporator  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Gobius  soporator  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII,  1837, 
56  (Martinique)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2216;  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus.  Zool.  Anat.  Torino,  XIV, 
No.  346,  1899,  3  (Rio  Tuyra,  Darien;  Flamenco  Island,  Panama 
Bay)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  171 
(Panama  Bay)  ;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  157  (Caledonia 
Bay). 

Gobius  catulus  Girard,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1858,  169  (St.  Joseph 
Island,  Texas). 

Gobius  mapo  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  277  (Cuba). 

Gobius  lacertus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  278  (Cuba). 

Gobius  caroliniensis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  268  (Charles- 
ton, S.  C). 

Gobius  andrei  Sauvage,  Bull.  Soc.  Philo.  Paris,  7  ser.,  IV,  1880,  44  (Rio 
Guayas,  Ecuador). 

Evorthodus  catulus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 
1882  (1883),  632. 


868     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Gobius  arundelii  Garman,  Proc.  N.  E.  Zool.  Club,  I,  1899,  63  (Clipper- 
ton  Island). 

Mapo  fuscus  Evermann  &  Goldsborough,  Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Wash., 
XXII,  1909,  103  (Taboga  Island). 

Mapo  soporator  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool., 
XXXV,  1912,  147  (Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay)  ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac. 
Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  and  411  (Colon  and  Panama). 

Head  2.95  to  3.45;  depth  3.7  to  5.3;  D.  VI-I,  8  or  9;  A.  I,  8; 
scales  35  to  40. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  broader  than  deep; 
snout  short  and  blunt,  3  to  4.15  in  head ;  eye  3.5  to  4.9 ;  mouth  moderate, 
terminal,  slightly  oblique,  the  gape  reaching  anterior  margin  of  pupil; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  broad  bands,  pointed,  the  outer  ones  more  or  less 
enlarged;  opercle  and  preopercle  without  spines  or  serrations;  gill- 
membranes  broadly  joined  to  the  isthmus;  scales  rather  large,  ctenoid, 
wanting  on  head,  more  or  less  embedded  at  nape  and  on  chest  and 
abdomen;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  first  with  flexible  spines,  the 
second  longer,  the  rays  all  of  about  equal  length;  caudal  fin  round; 
anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal,  but  slightly  smaller ;  ventral  fins  form- 
ing a  large  sucking  disk ;  pectoral  fins  broad,  rounded,  the  middle  rays 
the  longest,  the  upper  rays  with  free  ends,  i.i  to  1.4  in  head. 

Color  various,  from  plain  dark  brown  to  pale  or  straw  color;  the 
pale  specimens  with  dark  spots  or  more  or  less  distinct  dark  cross-bars ; 
dorsal  and  caudal  with  dark  spots  or  cross-bars;  anal  fin  dusky  or  at 
least  with  an  intramarginal  dark  bar  and  pale  margin ;  ventrals  pale  or 
dusky;  pectorals  pale  or  slightly  dusky  at  base. 

This  species  is  abundant  on  both  coasts  of  Panama  and  is  represented 
by  numerous  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  27  to  145  mm.  We 
are  unable  to  find  any  difference  whatever  in  the  representatives  from 
the  opposite  coasts,  except  that  the  Pacific  coast  representatives  are 
usually  somewhat  darker  in  color.  On  the  other  hand  we  have  one  lot 
from  the  Pacific  that  is  quite  as  light  in  color  as  any  from  the  Atlantic. 
This  fish,  although  occurring  almost  everywhere  along  the  coasts,  is 
most  abundant  on  rocky  bottom. 

Known  from  all  tropical  seas.  Our  specimens  from  the  Atlantic 
coast  are  from  Toro  Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello.  Those  from  the 
Pacific  coast  are  from  Taboga  Island,  Chame  Point,  Naos  Island, 
Balboa,  Corozal  and  Panama  City. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       869 

225.  Genus  Tyntlastes  Giinther. 

Tyntlastes    Giinther,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.    London,    1862,     194     (type 

Amblyopus  sagitta  Giinther). 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  quadrangular;  eye  very  small  or 
rudimentary;  mouth  wide,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  teeth 
in  a  single  series,  none  on  vomer  or  palatines;  dorsal  fin  single, 
continuous,  with  6  to  8  spines ;  caudal  fin  pointed,  more  or  less  joined 
to  the  dorsal  and  anal;  ventral  fins  united.  A  single  very  rare  species 
is  known  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama. 

627.  Tyntlastes  brevis  (Giinther). 

Amblyopus    brevis    Giinther,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.    London,    1864,    151 

(Panama). 
Tyntlastes  brevis  Jordan  &  Eigenmann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886, 

512;  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1890,  451  (Panama)  ;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2262;  Gilbert 

&  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  180. 

Head  4.5;  depth  8;  D.  VIII,  14;  A.  15. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  teeth  long,  wide  set,  in  a  single  series. 
Caudal  fin  black. 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  recent  investigators.  The  above  brief 
description  is  from  the  meagre  accounts  of  the  species  which  is  known 
only  from  the  type,  and  from  2  partly  digested  specimens  removed  from 
the  stomach  of  a  Centropomus  which  was  taken  on  the  Pacific  coast  of 
Panama. 

226.  Genus  Evorthodus  Gill. 

Evorthodus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1859,  195  (type  Evorthodus 

breviceps  Gill). 

Body  moderately  elongate;  head  short;  isthmus  moderate  or  rather 
broad ;  teeth  in  each  jaw  in  a  single  series,  more  or  less  flattened, 
incisor-like  or  emarginate;  scales  moderate,  posteriorly  ctenoid, 
becoming  smooth  anteriorly,  present  on  most  of  head;  first  dorsal 
with  5  or  6  spines ;  ventral  fins  united,  free  from  the  abdomen. 

To  this  genus  we  refer  the  species  which  agree  with  the  type  in 
having  only  a  single  series  of  teeth  in  each  jaw. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.       Teeth  deeply  notched;  the  spinous  dorsal  conspicuously  barred 

with  black.  breviceps,  p.  870. 

aa.     Teeth  more  or  less  incisor-like,  not  notched ;  the  spinous  dorsal 


870    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

not  barred,  with  a  conspicuous  black  spot  at  base  and  the  tips 
of  the  longest  rays  black.  minutus  sp.  nov.,  p.  870. 

628.  Evorthodus  breviceps  Gill. 

Evorthodus   breviceps   Gill,    Proc.    Ac.    Nat.    Sci.    Phila.,    1859,    J95 

(Trinidad) ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2208. 

Head  4.5 ;  depth  4.5  to  4.75 ;  D.  VI-n  ;  A.  12 ;  scales  28  to  30. 

Body  robust,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  thick  and  short;  snout 
blunt  and  rounded;  eye  moderate,  3  in  head;  mouth  horizontal; 
maxillary  reaching  below  middle  of  eye;  teeth  in  the  jaws  small,  in  a 
single  series,  deeply  notched  at  tips;  scales  ctenoid,  of  moderate  size, 
those  on  abdomen  small ;  nape,  occiput  and  opercles  scaled ;  cheeks 
apparently  with  a  number  of  embedded  scales;  dorsal  spines  not 
produced,  shorter  than  head;  second  dorsal  and  anal  similar,  the  rays 
about  as  long  as  longest  dorsal  spine;  caudal  fin  slightly  acute,  a  little 
longer  than  head;  ventral  disk  moderate,  free  from  the  abdomen; 
pectorals  extending  slightly  beyond  ventral  disk,  but  failing  to  reach 
vent. 

Color  in  alcohol  brown,  darkest  above ;  sides  irregularly  spotted  and 
blotched ;  the  larger  blotches  of  the  sides  meeting  on  the  back  and  form- 
ing irregular  cross-bars ;  caudal  peduncle  with  a  single  dark  spot ;  base  of 
caudal  with  2  dark  spots;  spinous  dorsal  conspicuously  barred  with 
black ;  soft  dorsal  and  caudal  barred  or  checkered  with  black ;  anal  and 
ventrals  nearly  plain  translucent;  pectoral  slightly  barred  with  dusky. 

This  little  goby,  which  enters  fresh  water,  was  not  taken  by  us,  but 
since  it  comes  within  the  range  of  the  present  work  it  has  been  here 
included.  The  above  description  is  compiled  from  published  accounts 
of  the  species. 

Recorded  from  Tampico,  Mexico;  Trinidad;  and  Surinam. 

629.  Evorthodus  minutus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXIV.) 

Type  No.  81847,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  30  mm. ;  Corozal,  Canal  Zone. 

Head  4;  depth  4  to  5;  D.  V  or  VI-n  or  12;  A.  n  or  12;  scales 
28  to  30. 

Body  compressed  throughout;  head  deeper  than  wide;  snout  short 
and  very  blunt,  4.15  to  6  in  head;  eye  3  to  3.45;  interorbital  about  .75 
width  of  eye;  mouth  small,  horizontal,  terminal  or  slightly  inferior; 
maxillary  reaching  slightly  past  vertical  from  middle  of  eye,  3  to  3.25 
in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  minute,  slightly  flattened,  incisor-like,  in  a 
single  series  in  each  jaw ;  gill-openings  extending  only  slightly  above 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       871 

base  of  pectorals;  isthmus  broad;  pores  on  cheeks  very  inconspicuous; 
scales  rather  large,  present  on  entire  body  and  head  except  on  snout  and 
mandible,  ctenoid  posteriorly,  becoming  smooth  anteriorly;  dorsal  fins 
well  separated,  the  rays  all  short,  none  of  them  as  long  as  head ;  caudal 
fin  round,  equal  to  length  of  head ;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal ; 
ventral  disk  short,  failing  to  reach  vent;  pectoral  fins  reaching  beyond 
the  tips  of  ventrals,  i.i  to  1.3  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish  abo^e,  paler  below;  sides  with  irregular 
dark  blotches,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  cross-bars ;  base  of  caudal 
with  2.  dark  spots,  the  upper  one  being  most  distinct;  first  dorsal  with 
a  round  dark  spot  at  base,  and  with  the  tips  of  the  longest  rays  black ; 
second  dorsal  spotted  with  dark ;  caudal  fin  plain  translucent  or  slightly 
barred  with  dusky;  anal,  ventrals  and  pectorals  pale  in  spirits.  In  life 
the  second  dorsal  and  anal  are  bright  red  and  the  side  between  these 
fins  is  dull  red. 

This  fish  is  represented  by  3  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  27 
to  30  mm.,  taken  in  a  muddy  tide  stream  at  Corozal. 

227.  Genus  Microgobius  Poey. 

Microgobius  Poey,  Anal.  Soc.  Espan.  Hist.  Nat.,  V,  1876,  168  (type 

Microgobius  signatus  Poey) . 
Zdypnus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  459  (type  Gobius  emblematicus  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  more  or  less  compressed;  mouth  large,  very  oblique  or 
vertical ;  teeth  rather  strong,  mostly  in  2.  series,  the  outer  ones  more 
or  less  canine-like;  no  barbels  about  the  mouth;  scales  of  small  or 
moderate  size,  usually  wanting  in  advance  of  first  dorsal ;  dorsal  spines 
7  or  8 ;  with  or  without  a  median  cutaneous  fold  in  advance  of  dorsal. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales   small,  about  70  to  85   in   lateral   series;   a  prominent 
cutaneous  fold  extending  from  back  of  the  eyes  to  origin  of  first 
dorsal.  emblematicus,  p.  872. 

aa.     Scales  comparatively  large,  from  44  to  48  in  a  lateral  series; 
with  or  without  a  slight  cutaneous  fold  in  advance  of  first  dorsal. 

b.  Mouth   oblique;    maxillary   reaching   vertical    from   posterior 
margin  of  eye ;  eye  rather  small,  3.6  in  head. 

miraflorensis,  p.  873. 

bb.     Mouth  vertical ;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye ;  eye 
large,  3.3  in  head.  tabogensis  sp.  nov.,  p.  873. 


872     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

630.  Microgobius  emblematicus  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Gobius  emblematicus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  I,  1881 

(1882),  330  (Panama  Bay). 
Lepidogobius  emblematicus  Jordan  &  Eigenmann,  Proc.  U.   S.   Nat. 

Mus.,  1886,  505. 
Microgobius   cyclolepis   Gilbert,    Proc.    U.    S.    Nat.    Mus.,    1890,    74 

(Albatross  Station  3020,  Lower  California) . 
Zalypnus  emblematicus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2247. 
Microgobius  emblematicus  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  174  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.6  to  3.8;  depth  3.7  to  5.75;  D.  VII-I7  or  18;  A.  16  to  18; 
scales  72  to  83. 

Body  compressed  throughout ;  head  deeper  than  broad ;  snout  short, 
3.55  to  4.7  in  head;  eye  3.55  to  4.35;  interorbital  very  narrow,  not 
broader  than  pupil;  a  prominent  cutaneous  fold  extending  from  back 
of  eyes  to  origin  of  dorsal;  mouth  large,  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw 
in  advance  of  the  upper ;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  pupil, 
1.75  to  2.4  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  mainly  in  2  series,  the  outer 
series  in  upper  jaw  laterally  wanting,  composed  of  rather  large,  strongly 
recurved  teeth,  the  second  series  of  small  villiform  teeth;  the  mandibular 
teeth  like  those  of  the  upper  jaw,  except  that  the  second  series  laterally 
is  composed  of  enlarged  recurved  teeth;  scales  very  thin  and  small, 
difficult  to  enumerate,  usually  wanting  in  advance  of  base  of  fifth 
dorsal  spine;  dorsal  fins  close  together,  the  median  spines  sometimes 
slightly  produced,  rarely  as  long  as  head ;  second  dorsal  of  about  equal 
height  throughout,  the  posterior  rays  reaching  base  of  caudal;  caudal 
fin  pointed,  somewhat  longer  than  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  second 
dorsal ;  ventral  disk  rather  long,  usually  reaching  to  vent  and  occasionally 
to  origin  of  anal;  pectoral  fins  failing  to  reach  the  tip  of  ventral  disk, 
1.15  to  1.5  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  pale  brown,  some  individuals  with  a  round  dark 
brown  spot  on  shoulder,  above  and  behind  the  base  of  pectorals ;  fins 
plain  translucent  or  slightly  dusky.  Color  in  life  of  a  specimen  55  mm. 
in  length :  Body  bright  green  above  to  pale  green  below ;  head  and  body 
in  advance  of  about  the  fifth  ray  of  second  dorsal  with  alternating  streaks 
and  spots  of  sky-blue  and  orange ;  dorsals,  caudal  and  anal  pink ;  anal  fin 
with  an  orange  stripe  across  base,  extending  along  lower  edge  of  caudal 
peduncle  and  on  the  lower  rays  of  the  caudal  fin ;  other  fins  pale. 

This  species  is  represented  by  19  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
38  to  65  mm.  It  is  rather  common  in  the  tide  pools  at  Panama  City. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       873 

Known  only  from  Lower  California  and  from  Panama.  Our 
specimens  are  from  Balboa  and  Panama  City. 

631.  Microgobius  miraflorensis  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Microgobius  miraflorensis  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  176,  PI.  XXIX,  fig.  54  (Pacific  coast  of  Panama)  ;  Fowler, 

Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  412  (Panama). 

Head  3.3  to  3.65;  depth  4.25  to  4.85;  D.  VII-i?;  A.  17;  scales 
44  to  49. 

Body  elongate,  rather  strongly  compressed ;  head  notably  deeper  than 
broad ;  snout  short,  4.5  to  4.75  in  head ;  eye  3.6  to  3.7 ;  interorbital  not 
broader  than  pupil;  no  cutaneous  fold  in  advance  of  dorsal;  mouth 
large,  quite  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  maxillary  reaching 
vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.75  to  2  in  head;  teeth  in  the 
jaws  in  2  series,  the  outer  series  in  each  jaw  enlarged,  composed  of 
recurved  canines  and  wanting  laterally  where  the  second  series  is 
somewhat  enlarged ;  scales  rather  large,  ctenoid,  wanting  in  advance 
of  about  third  dorsal  spine  and  on  a  narrow  strip  on  median  line  of 
abdomen ;  dorsal  spines  more  or  less  produced,  the  median  ones 
filamentous,  usually  somewhat  longer  than  head;  second  dorsal  lower, 
of  about  equal  height  throughout;  caudal  fin  pointed,  notably  longer 
than  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral  disk  moderate, 
scarcely  reaching  vent;  pectoral  fins  reaching  slightly  beyond  tip  of 
ventrals,  1.15  to  1.25  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  light  grayish  olive;  sides  with  4  or  5  narrow  dark 
lines,  the  anterior  one  broadest  and  most  distinct  and  situated  below  the 
base  of  the  anterior  dorsal  spines ;  the  outer  margin  and  produced  spines 
of  first  dorsal  dusky;  the  second  dorsal  plain  translucent,  with  dusky 
punctulations,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  longitudinal  bands;  caudal 
fin  pale,  with  indefinite  V-shaped  bars  at  base;  anal  fins  dusky,  or  at 
least  with  dark  margins ;  ventrals  and  pectorals  plain  translucent. 

Only  4  specimens  of  this  species,  which  are  all  of  equal  length 
(45  mm.),  were  secured.  It  differs  from  M.  emblematicus  principally 
in  having  much  larger  scales,  in  the  absence  of  a  cutaneous  fold  in 
advance  of  first  dorsal  fin,  and  in  color. 

This  fish  is  recorded  only  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  Our 
specimens  are  from  Rio  Culebra,  tributary  of  the  Rio  Bayano,  a  very 
muddy  and  slightly  brackish  tide  stream. 

632.  Microgobius  tabogensis  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXV.) 

Type  No.  81844,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  45  mm.;  Taboga  Island, 
Panama. 


874     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Head  3.77;  depth  4.7;  D.  VII-I7;  A.  18;  scales  about  48. 

Body  compressed  throughout ;  head  much  deeper  than  broad ;  snout 
very  short,  5  in  head;  eye  3.33;  interorbital  about  half  the  width  of 
eye;  a  slight  cutaneous  fold  from  nape  to  origin  of  dorsal;  mouth 
moderate,  vertical,  the  lower  jaw  in  advance  of  the  upper;  maxillary 
reaching  vertical  from  anterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.25  in  head ;  teeth  in 
the  jaws  in  two  series,  the  outer  series  enlarged  and  wanting  laterally 
where  the  second  series  is  somewhat  enlarged ;  scales  rather  large,  cycloid, 
extending  forward  nearly  or  quite  to  base  of  pectorals,  leaving  a  naked 
area  about  base  of  first  dorsal;  head  and  chest  naked;  abdomen  fully 
scaled;  the  median  dorsal  spines  somewhat  produced,  but  scarcely  as 
long  as  head;  second  dorsal  increasing  in  height  posteriorly,  the  last 
rays  reaching  base  of  caudal ;  caudal  fin  pointed,  longer  than  head ; 
anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral  disk  short,  failing  to  reach 
vent ;  pectoral  fins  rather  long,  reaching  well  beyond  the  tip  of  ventrals, 
nearly  or  quite  to  origin  of  anal,  1.05  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  plain  light  brown,  wholly  without  spots  or  bars ; 
fins  all  plain  translucent. 

This  species  is  represented  by  a  single  specimen,  45  mm.  in  length, 
taken  at  Taboga  Island.  It  differs  from  M.  miraflorensis  principally 
in  having  the  mouth  vertical,  a  larger  eye,  broader  interorbital,  in  the 
presence  of  a  cutaneous  fold  in  advance  of  dorsal,  smooth  scales,  and 
in  the  more  elongate  caudal  fin.  From  M.  emblematicus  it  may  readily 
be  distinguished  by  the  much  larger  scales  and  the  vertical  mouth. 

228.  Genus  Euctenogobius  Gill. 

Euctenogobius  Gill,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  VII,  1859,  45  (type 

Euctenogobius  badius  Gill). 

This  genus,  as  here  understood,  differs  from  Gobionellus  only  in  the 
dentition.  The  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw  in  a  single  series;  those  in  the 
lower  jaw  in  a  very  narrow  band,  with  the  outer  series  slightly  enlarged. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  ctenoid  posteriorly,  wanting  on  nape  and  head,  28  to  35 
in  lateral  series.  panamensis  sp.  nov.,  p.  874. 

aa.  Scales  all  cycloid,  present  on  nape,  opercles  and  cheeks,  77  to  87 
in  lateral  series.  liolepis  sp.  nov.,  p.  875. 

633.  Euctenogobius  panamensis  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXVI.) 

Type  No.  81839,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  95  mm. ;  Rio  Culebra,  Panama. 
Head  3.8  to  4.2;  depth  4.65  to  5.45;  D.  VI-I3;  A.  13;  scales  28 

to  35- 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       875 

Body  elongate,  compressed  throughout;  head  a  little  deeper  than 
broad;  snout  very  obtuse,  2.65  to  3.1  in  head;  eye  3.9  to  4.65;  inter- 
orbital  space  about  half  the  width  of  eye ;  mouth  very  nearly  horizontal, 
slightly  inferior;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.5  to 
2.8  in  head ;  teeth  small,  in  a  single  series  in  the  upper  jaw,  in  a  band  in 
the  lower  jaw,  the  outer  series  enlarged  and  separated  from  the  very 
narrow  band  of  minute  teeth  by  an  interspace;  gill-openings  extending 
well  below  the  base  of  pectorals;  isthmus  rather  narrow;  scales 
moderate,  ctenoid,  wanting  on  nape,  head  and  chest;  dorsal  fins  well 
separated ;  the  anterior  rays  of  the  first  dorsal  with  short  filaments ;  the 
second  dorsal  of  about  equal  height  throughout,  none  of  the  rays  much 
more  than  half  the  length  of  head ;  caudal  fin  lanceolate,  twice  the  length 
of  head  in  adults ;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal ;  ventral  disk  short, 
failing  to  reach  vent;  pectoral  fins  reaching  somewhat  beyond  the 
ventral  disk,  i.i  to  1.3  in  head. 

Color  olivaceous ;  median  line  of  side  with  a  row  of  dark  blotches, 
these  often  more  or  less  elongate  and  forming  short  cross-bars;  the 
back  with  irregular  dark  markings ;  the  nape  occasionally  with  2  narrow 
cross-bars;  side  of  head  with  2  longitudinal  stripes,  one  of  these  just 
below  eye  and  the  other  slightly  above  the  angle  of  the  mouth  to  margin 
of  opercle,  these  partly  or  wholly  joined  by  a  short  oblique  bar  below 
eye;  dorsals  and  caudal  with  a  small  dark  spot,  the  short  filaments 
of  spinous  dorsal  black;  anal  fin  and  ventral  disk  pale  or  slightly  dusky; 
pectorals  plain  translucent,  with  a  large  jet-black  spot  at  the  base  of 
the  upper  rays. 

This  species  is  represented  by  8  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
80  to  115  mm.  All  were  taken  in  brackish  muddy  water  in  the  Rio 
Bayano  Basin ;  seven  in  the  Rio  Culebra  and  one  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Rio  Mamoni. 

634.  Euctenogobius  liolepis  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXVII.) 

Type  No.  81836,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  no  mm.;  Beach,  Balboa, 
Canal  Zone. 

Head  4.85  to  5.25;  depth  5.45  to  6.1;  D.  VI-I5;  A.  15;  scales 
77  to  87. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  deeper  than  broad  throughout ;  head 
moderate;  snout  rather  short,  3.7  to  4.35  in  head;  eye  4.8  to  5-35; 
interorbital  not  more  than  half  the  width  of  eye;  mouth  terminal, 
notably  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  very  weak;  maxillary  reaching  middle 
of  eye,  2.15  to  2.6  in  head;  teeth  small,  the  upper  jaw  with  a  single 
series,  lower  jaw  with  a  band  of  minute  teeth ;  scales  small,  all  cycloid, 


876     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

extending  forward  nearly  to  eyes,  present  also  on  opercles,  cheeks  and 
chest,  more  or  less  embedded  on  the  latter  two;  dorsal  fins  separate; 
the  first  of  weak  spines;  the  second  dorsal  long,  its  posterior  rays  the 
longest ;  caudal  fin  pointed,  the  median  rays  much  longer  than  the  head ; 
anal  fin  similar  to  the  second  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  forming  a  broad  sucking 
disk,  free  from  the  abdomen ;  pectoral  fins  rather  short,  reaching  little 
if  any  beyond  the  ventral  disk,  1.05  to  1.3  in  head. 

Color  olivaceous,  the  scales  above  with  dusky  punctulations,  and 
dark  edges ;  median  line  of  sides  with  a  row  of  small  dark  spots ;  larger 
dark  spots  present  along  the  back,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  saddle- 
like  bars  posteriorly ;  dorsals  and  caudal  more  or  less  spotted  or  barred ; 
other  fins  plain  translucent. 

This  species  is  represented  by  15  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
80  to  no  mm. ;  all  taken  on  the  same  date  along  a  sandy  beach  near 
Balboa. 

229.  Genus  Gobionellus  Girard. 

Gobionellus  Girard,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1858,  168  (type  Gobi- 
onellus hastatus  Girard). 

Body  elongate,  rather  slender;  head  moderate,  not  depressed; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  narrow  bands,  the  outer  series  in  upper  jaw 
separated  from  the  others  by  an  interspace;  scales  ctenoid,  at  least 
posteriorly,  usually  wanting  on  head;  dorsal  fins  2,  the  first  with  6 
or  rarely  7  spines ;  caudal  fin  lanceolate  or  rounded ;  ventral  disk 
free  from  the  abdomen.  This  genus,  as  here  understood,  includes 
those  species  which  have  the  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  villiform  bands  and 
the  outer  series  in  upper  jaw  separated  from  the  others  by  an  inter- 
space. 

KEY   TO  THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  small,  more  than  55  in  a  lateral  series;  dorsal  and  anal 
each  with  13  to  15  rays. 

b.  Scales  very  small,  64  to  75  in  lateral  series;  anterior  dorsal 
spines  filamentous. 

c.  Opercle  with  a  patch  of  scales;  color  plain  grayish  brown;  a 
single  dark  spot  below  base  of  spinous  dorsal;  dorsals  and 
caudal  without  dark  cross-bars.  oceanicus,  p.  877. 

cc.  Scales  wanting  on  opercle;  color  light  olivaceous;  sides  with  a 
stripe  or  dark  blotches ;  a  narrow  black  stripe  extending  back- 
ward from  eye;  dorsals  and  caudal  faintly  barred  with  black. 

microdon,  p.  879. 

bb.     Scales  58  to  65  in  lateral  series ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  fixed ;  none 


j\  -\        £&£>*&$>•  3        /. 

x\\  cSr^t  A 

K:.V\\    fe^:  ••"i   /V-7-. 


v«-V^P  >•«•-  ••••'••$/.••'  ••  -••'•• 


I 


52   E 

Q.     C 
in     C 


O    ~ 


CD     V 

o  .5 


THE 


Ot  l  HE 
Of 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       877 

of  the  dorsal  spines  filamentous ;  sides  with  a  series  of  irregular 
dark  spots;  a  round  spot  just  behind  upper  angle  of  gill- 
opening;  dorsals,  caudal  and  pectorals  with  dark  wavy  cross- 
bars, sagittula,  p.  879. 
aa.  Scales  larger,  usually  fewer  than  45  in  a  lateral  series ;  second 
dorsal  and  anal  each  with  from  9  to  13  rays. 

d.  Caudal   fin   lanceolate,    notably   longer   than  head   in   adult; 
species  of  moderate  size. 

e.  Small  scales  present  on  nape,  chest  and  abdomen,  29  to  32  in 
lateral  series ;  anterior  spines  of  first  dorsal  produced  in  adult 
male,  reaching  nearly  or-  quite  to  base  of  caudal ;  caudal  fin  trans- 
lucent, with  faint  bars  in  female,  darker  in  male,  with  a  longi- 
tudinal white  stripe  on  each  lobe.  lyricus,  p.  880. 

ee.  Scales  wanting  in  advance  of  first  dorsal  (not  verified  in 
G.  smaragdus} ;  none  of  the  dorsal  spines  greatly  produced, 
shorter  than  head,  reaching  to  or  slightly  past  origin  of  second 
dorsal. 

f .  Scales  moderate,  39  to  42  in  lateral  series ;  mouth  large,  slightly 
oblique,    upper    jaw    slightly    projecting;    maxillary    reaching 
below  pupil  or  to  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.1  to  2.35  in  head. 

smaragdus,  p.  882. 

f  f .  Scales  large,  fewer  than  39  in  lateral  series ;  mouth  moderate, 
horizontal  or  slightly  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  or 
quite  to  middle  of  eye,  2.5  to  3.15  in  head. 

g.  Head  large,  3.5  to  3.9  in  length;  scales  34  to  38  in  lateral 
series ;  caudal  fin  with  dark  cross-bars  in  both  sexes ;  pectoral 
fins  plain  translucent.  stigmaticus,  p.  882. 

gg.  Head  slightly  smaller,  3.95  to  4.3  in  length ;  scales  31  to  35  in 
lateral  series ;  caudal  fin  with  dark  cross-bars  in  female,  the 
male  with  a  white  horizontal  stripe  on  upper  and  lower  half 
of  caudal  fin.  manglicola,  p.  883. 

dd.  Caudal  fin  rounded  or  slightly  pointed,  equal  to  or  shorter  than 
head;  species  of  small  size. 

h.  First  dorsal  with  6  spines ;  anal  fin  with  12  rays ;  scales  33  to 
36  in  lateral  series.  encceomus,  p.  884. 

hh.  First  dorsal  with  7  spines ;  anal  with  9  or  10  rays ;  scales  27 
to  28  in  lateral  series.  boleosoma,  p.  885. 

635.  Gobionellus  oceanicus  (Pallas). 

Gobius  oceanicus  Pallas,  Spicil.  Zool.,  I,  Fasc.  VIII,  1770,  4  (locality 


878     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

unknown ;  after  Gronow)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2230,  PI.  CCCXXVII,  figs.  789  and  789^ 
Gobius  lanceolatus  Bloch,  Oec.  Naturg.  Fische  Deutschl.,  II,  1783,  8,  PI. 

XXXVIII,  fig.  i  (Martinique;  figure  probably  from  Plumier). 
Gobius  bacalaus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII,  1837, 

119  (Surinam;  Cayenne;  Cuba). 
Gobionellus  oceanicus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882 

(1883),  613. 

Head  3.75  to  5.1;  depth  5.3  to  7.15;  D.  VI-I4;  A.  15;  scales  64 

to  75- 

Body  very  elongate,  compressed ;  head  notably  deeper  than  wide ; 
snout  short,  blunt,  3  to  4.25  in  head;  eye  placed  high,  3.6  to  4.35  in 
head ;  interorbital  narrower  than  eye ;  mouth  rather  large,  terminal, 
a  little  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  to  or  past  middle  of  eye,  1.9  to  2.4 
in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  movable,  in  villiform  bands,  the  outer  series 
in  upper  jaw  enlarged  and  separated  from  the  others  by  a  narrow 
interspace;  opercle  and  preopercle  without  spines  or  serrations;  gill- 
membranes  broadly  attached  to  the  isthmus;  pores  present  about  the 
head;  no  lateral  line;  scales  on  anterior  part  of  body  small,  cycloid, 
more  or  less  embedded,  notably  larger  posteriorly  and  strongly  ctenoid ; 
a  patch  of  scales,  apparently  varying  in  size  among  individuals,  present 
on  upper  part  of  opercle;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  spines  of  the 
first  dorsal  filamentous;  the  second  dorsal  long,  of  about  equal  height 
throughout;  caudal  fin  long,  pointed,  the  middle  rays  filamentous, 
sometimes  nearly  half  the  length  of  rest  of  body;  anal  fin  similar  to 
second  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  forming  a  large  sucking  disk ;  pectoral  fins 
without  partly  detached  silky  rays,  I  to  1.2  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  grayish  brown ;  opercle  with  a  dark  bluish  blotch ; 
another  dark  blotch,  equal  to  or  larger  than  eye,  on  side  under  spinous 
dorsal ;  sides  with  a  rather  faint  median  dark  stripe,  often  more  or  less 
broken  up  into  dark  spots ;  a  small  caudal  spot  always  present ;  dorsal 
fins  more  or  less  dusky ;  anterior  spine  of  first  dorsal  with  from  2  to  4 
black  spots  on  anterior  margin,  or  rarely  with  a  continuous  black  stripe ; 
first  ray  of  second  dorsal  either  with  dark  spots  on  anterior  margin  or 
with  a  continuous  dark  margin;  other  fins  without  definite  markings, 
much  darker  in  some  specimens  than  in  others ;  margin  of  sucking  disk 
pale  in  specimens  having  a  dark  disk;  base  of  tongue  with  an  emerald 
spot  on  each  side. 

This  species  is  represented  by  more  than  100  specimens,  ranging 
in  length  from  45  to  200  mm.  It  is  very  probable  that  this  species 
and  G.  hastatus  are  identical. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       879 

Known  from  South  Carolina  to  Texas  and  the  West  Indies.  Now 
for  the  first  time  recorded  from  as  far  south  as  Panama.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Toro  Point,  Hindi  and  Colon. 

636.  Gobionellus  microdon  (Gilbert). 

Gobius  microdon  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1891,  554  (San  Juan 

Lagoon,  Mexico)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2227. 
Gobionellus  microdon  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  171,  PL  XXVIII,  fig.  51  (Miraflores,  Canal  Zone,  Panama). 

Head  4  to  4.1;  depth  4.95  to  5.8;  D.  VI-I3;  A.  13  or  14;  scales 
63  to  72. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  throughout,  everywhere  deeper  than 
broad;  head  moderate;  snout  short,  3.34  to  4.25  in  head;  eye  3.55  to 
4.2 ;  interorbital  very  narrow,  scarcely  as  wide  as  pupil ;  mouth  terminal, 
nearly  horizontal,  the  lower  jaw  very  weak;  maxillary  reaching  under 
middle  of  eye,  2.3  to  2.5  in  head;  teeth  very  small,  in  a  weak  band  in 
each  jaw;  scales  extending  forward  to  nape;  a  naked  area  on  median 
line  of  back  in  advance  of  first  dorsal;  sides  of  head  and  chest 
wholly  naked ;  scales  on  sides  behind  spinous  dorsal  strongly  ctenoid ; 
dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  of  weak  spines,  the  anterior  spines  fila- 
mentous, varying  in  length,  but  always  reaching  past  the  origin  of  the 
second  dorsal;  the  second  dorsal  rather  long,  of  about  equal  height 
throughout;  caudal  fin  pointed,  the  median  rays  produced,  much 
longer  than  the  head ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  second  dorsal ;  ventral 
fins  forming  a  rather  long  narrow  sucking  disk,  free  from  the  abdo- 
men; pectoral  fins  moderate,  reaching  opposite  vent,  I  to  1.2  in  head. 

Color  light  olivaceous;  sides  with  a  more  or  less  broken  stripe 
and  irregular  dark  spots ;  a  short  dark  stripe  back  of  eye  and  a  dark 
area  on  opercle;  dorsals  and  caudal  slightly  barred  with  black;  other 
fins  plain  translucent. 

This  species  is  represented  by  10  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  22  to  60  mm. ;  all  taken  in  a  slightly  brackish  stream. 

Known  from  San  Juan  Lagoon,  Mexico,  south  to  Pamana.  Our 
specimens  are  from  the  Rio  Juan  Diaz,  6  to  8  miles  southeast  of 
Panama  City. 

637.  Gobionellus  sagittula  (Giinther). 

Euctenogobius  sagittula  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1861,  371 
(West  coast  of  Central  America). 


88o     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Gobius  sagittula  Jordan  &  Eigenmann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886, 

497;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2228. 
Gobius  longicaudus  Jenkins  &  Evermann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1888, 

146  (Guaymas). 
Euctenogobius  saggitula  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus.  Zool.  Anat.  Torino,  XIV, 

No.  346,  1899,  3  (Rio  Cucunati,  Darien). 
Gobionellus  sagittula  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904, 

171. 

Head  3.7  to  4.45;  depth  5.8  to  8.3;  D.  VI-I3  or  14;  A.  14;  scales 
58  to  65. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly,  anteriorly  as  wide  as  deep; 
head  rather  short;  snout  blunt,  3.15  to  3.85  in  head;  eye  small,  placed 
high,  3.85  to  4.75 ;  mouth  broad,  the  upper  jaw  slightly  in  advance 
of  the  lower;  maxillary  reaching  about  middle  of  eye,  2.7  to  3.15  in 
head;  teeth  pointed,  in  villiform  bands,  the  outer  ones  in  upper  jaw 
somewhat  enlarged  and  well  separated  from  the  others ;  gill-membranes 
rather  broadly  connected  with  the  isthmus ;  scales  reduced  in  advance 
of  dorsal,  increasing  in  size  posteriorly  where  they  become  strongly 
ctenoid;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  first  with  6  short  flexible 
spines;  second  dorsal  long  and  of  nearly  uniform  height  throughout; 
caudal  fin  pointed,  about  equal  to  length  of  head  in  very  young, 
increasing  in  proportionate  length  with  age ;  anal  fin  similar  to  second 
dorsal;  ventral  fins  forming  a  rather  small  sucking  disk;  pectoral  fins 
moderate,  more  or  less  pointed,  1.2  to  1.45  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  light  yellowish ;  upper  parts  with  irregular  brownish 
specks  or  punctulations ;  median  line  of  sides  with  5  irregular  dark 
brown  spots;  a  roundish  dark  spot  on  shoulder  just  above  base  of 
pectorals;  upper  parts  of  head  with  small  dark  spots;  side  of  head 
with  two  horizontal  dark  stripes ;  dorsals,  caudal  and  pectorals  spotted 
or  barred  with  dark;  the  other  fins  colorless. 

Twelve  specimens  of  this  species,  ranging  in  length  from  30  to 
90  mm.,  were  taken  by  us,  and  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie  later  sent  5  addi- 
tional specimens.  This  is  a  rather  rare  fish  frequenting  muddy  pools 
and  tide  streams. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  south  to  Ecuador.  Our  speci- 
mens are  from  Chame  Point  and  Corozal. 

638.  Gobionellus  lyricus  (Girard). 

Gobius  lyricus  Girard,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1858,  169  (Brazos 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA -^  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       881 

Santiago,  Texas)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2224. 
Gobius  wurdemanni  Girard,  Proc.   Ac.   Nat.   Sci.   Phila.,   1858,   169 

(Brazos  Santiago,  Texas;  female). 

Smaragdus  costalesi  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  280  (Havana). 
Euctenogobius  lyricus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1883,  633. 

Head  3.65  to  4.15 ;  depth  4.3  to  5 ;  D.  VI-n,  rarely  10  or  12;  A.  n 
or  12;  scales  29  to  32. 

Body  rather  robust,  compressed ;  head  as  wide  as  deep ;  snout  very 
short  and  blunt,  3.8  to  5  in  head ;  eye  moderate,  2.9  to  3.5 ;  interorbital 
not  much  broader  than  pupil;  mouth  inferior,  nearly  horizontal;  maxil- 
lary reaching  below  middle  of  eye,  2.2  to  2.8  in  head;  teeth  minute, 
the  outer  series  in  each  jaw  somewhat  enlarged  and  separated  from 
a  band  of  very  min'ute  teeth  by  an  interspace,  the  outer  series  of  lower 
jaw  anteriorly  followed  by  3  or  4  enlarged  cusps ;  scales  rather  large, 
ctenoid  on  body,  cycloid  and  reduced  on  nape,  chest  and  abdomen; 
dorsal  fins  separate,  the  anterior  3  or  4  spines  much  produced,  fila- 
mentous in  adult  male,  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  base  of  caudal, 
more  than  half  the  length  of  body;  the  second  dorsal  high,  with  the 
posterior  rays  reaching  to  or  beyond  base  of  caudal  in  adult  male, 
the  fins  low  and  without  produced  rays  in  the  female;  caudal  fin 
lanceolate,  2.5  in  body  in  adult  males,  shorter  in  females;  anal  fin 
similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral  disk  rather  small,  failing  to  reach 
vent;  pectoral  reaching  well  beyond  the  ventral,  usually  about  equal 
to  length  of  head. 

Color  olivaceous ;  sides  usually  with  4  or  5  faint  dark  bars  and 
with  irregular  dark  blotches ;  spinons  dorsal  with  dark  dots,  the 
produced  rays  in  the  male  dusky ;  second  dorsal  in  female  merely  with 
dark  dots,  in  male  with  dark  dots  on  the  anterior  rays  and  a  black 
bar  at  base  extending  on  posterior  ray;  caudal  fin  in  females  trans- 
lucent, slightly  barred  with  dusky,  dark  in  males,  with  2  longitudinal 
white  stripes,  one  on  the  upper  lobe  and  one  on  the  lower;  anal  fin 
and  ventral  disk  in  female  pale,  dusky  in  male ;  pectoral  fins  nearly  plain 
translucent  in  female,  dusky  in  male,  and  with  pearly  spots  forming 
cross-bars. 

This  species  is  represented  by  12  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  35  to  85  mm. 

Known  from  Texas  to  the  Lesser  Antilles,  and  now  for  the  first 
time  recorded  from  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens 
are  all  from  very  muddy,  brackish  pools  at  Mindi,  Canal  Zone. 


882     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

639.  Gobionellus  smaragdus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Gobius  smaragdus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII,  1837, 

120  (Cuba)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2227. 

Smaragdus  valenciennesi  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  280  (Cuba). 
Gobionellus  smaragdus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  394. 

Head  4;  depth  5.25  to  5.9;  D.  VI-n  or  12;  A.  n  or  12;  scales 
39  to  42. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  head  not  compressed; 
snout  short;  eye  moderate,  4  to  5  in  head;  mouth  large,  slightly 
oblique;  lower  jaw  slightly  the  shorter;  maxillary  reaching  below  pupil 
or  to  posterior  margin  of  orbit,  2.1  to  2.35  in  head;  teeth  in  bands, 
the  outer  row  in  upper  jaw  enlarged  and  separated  from  the  narrow 
succeeding  band  by  an  interspace ;  scales  posteriorly  ctenoid,  becoming 
cycloid  anteriorly ;  caudal  fin  produced,  2.25  to  2.5  in  body. 

Color  of  male  light  olive,  with  dark  olive  blotches ;  body  and  head 
with  many  conspicuous  round,  cream-colored  spots,  each  surrounded 
by  a  dusky  ring,  these  smaller  than  pupil  and  most  distinct  on  head ; 
snout  with  dusky  streaks ;  dorsal  and  caudal  plainly  barred ;  pectorals 
crossed  with  dark  wavy  lines,  dusky  at  base ;  anal  and  ventrals  dusky ; 
a  small  dark  spot  at  base  of  caudal;  a  bright  deep  green  spot  inside 
of  mouth  in  life.  Female  nearly  plain  olivaceous. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us  and  is  not  recorded  from  Panama, 
but  it  may  be  expected  there,  since  it  has  been  taken  at  localities  both 
north  and  south  of  the  Isthmus.  The  above  description  is  compiled  from 
published  accounts. 

Known  from  South  Carolina  to  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

640.  Gobionellus  stigmaticus  (Poey). 

Smaragdus  stigmaticus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  281  (Cuba). 

Gobionellus  stigmaticus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  394. 

Gobius  stigmaticus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  49;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,   Bull.   U.   S.   Nat.    Mus.,   XLVII,    1898,   2224,   PI. 

CCCXXVI,  fig.  787. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  5.5  to  6.6;  D.  VI-n  or  12;  A.  12  or  13; 
34  to  38  oblique  series  of  scales  on  sides. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  as  broad  as  deep;  snout  short, 
blunt,  4  to  4.65  in  head;  eye  large,  3.55  to  4;  interorbital  narrow,  less 
than  half  the  width  of  eye;  mouth  terminal,  horizontal;  maxillary 
scarcely  reaching  middle  of  eye,  2.45  to  3.15  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws 
in  bands,  the  outer  series  in  each  jaw  enlarged,  the  enlarged  series  in 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA — MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       883 

upper  jaw  separated  from  the  others  by  an  interspace;  scales  rather 
large,  ctenoid,  somewhat  reduced  anteriorly,  wanting  on  head,  nape  and 
chest;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  all  the  rays  shorter  than  head,  the 
spines  sometimes  slightly  filamentous;  caudal  fin  pointed,  notably 
longer  than  head  in  adult;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral 
disk  moderate,  reaching  vent ;  pectoral  fins  rather  long,  pointed,  reach- 
ing slightly  past  tip  of  ventrals,  I  to  1.35  in  head. 

Color  brownish;  median  line  of  sides  with  a  series  of  5  more  or 
less  elongate  dark  spots ;  body  elsewhere  with  irregular  dark  markings, 
formed  by  punctulations ;  nape  sometimes  with  indistinct  cross-bars ; 
dorsal  and  caudal  fins  barred  with  dark;  anal  fin  pale,  with  series  of 
dark  spots  on  base  and  a  slightly  dusky  intramarginal  band;  ventral 
disk  dusky,  with  a  broad  pale  margin;  pectoral  fins  plain  translucent. 

This  species  was  taken  only  in  brackish  water.  We  have  at  hand 
25  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  25  to  65  mm. 

Known  from  North  Carolina  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Mindi  and  Porto  Bello. 

641.  Gobionellus  manglicola  (Jordan  &  Starks). 

Gobius  manglicola  Jordan  &  Starks,  in  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd 

Ser.,  V,  1895,  495   (Mazatlan)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2220. 

Head  3.95  to  4.3;  depth  5  to  6;  D.  VI-I2;  A.  13;  scales  31  to  35. 

Body  elongate,  anteriorly  as  broad  as  deep,  posteriorly  compressed ; 
head  short,  quite  as  broad  as  deep;  snout  very  blunt,  short,  3.5  to  5.15 
in  head ;  eye  small,  superior,  3.5  to  4.2  in  head ;  interorbital  very  nar- 
row, furrowed ;  mouth  terminal,  slightly  oblique ;  maxillary  reaching 
middle  of  eye,  2.5  to  2.6  in  head;  teeth  in  jaws  pointed,  the  upper 
jaw  with  an  enlarged  outer  series  well  separated  from  an  irregular 
series  or  narrower  band  of  minute  teeth;  lower  jaw  with  a  band  of 
pointed  teeth,  the  outer  ones  enlarged  but  not  as  much  so  as  in  upper 
jaw;  gill-membranes  broadly  attached  to  the  isthmus;  scales  rather 
large,  ctenoid,  wanting  on  back  in  advance  of  dorsals  and  on  head 
and  chest ;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  none  of  the  spines  of  the  anterior 
dorsal  produced,  shorter  than  head ;  second  dorsal  low,  the  posterior 
rays  failing  to  reach  the  base  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  pointed,  about  1.5 
times  the  length  of  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral 
fins  forming  a  rather  broad  disk,  free  from  abdomen;  pectoral  fins 
rather  short,  not  reaching  beyond  ventral  disk,  1 .28  to  i  .4  in  head. 

Color  olivaceous  above,  paler  below ;  sides  and  back  with  irregular 
brownish  markings,  largest  and  most  distinct  along  median  line  of 


884     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

side;  a  caudal  spot  present;  dorsal,  caudal  and  pectorals  more  or  less 
distinctly  barred  with  brownish  spots;  spinous  dorsal  in  male  with  a 
jet-black  membrane  between  the  fourth  and  fifth  spines  and  a  fairly 
distinct  whitish  bar  at  base;  caudal  fin  in  male  less  distinctly  barred 
than  in  female,  with  a  white  horizontal  bar  on  upper  half  of  fin;  anal 
fin  pale  or  slightly  dusky ;  ventral  disk  pale,  with  a  broad  black  margin 
in  male  specimens,  dusky,  with  broad  pale  margin  in  the  female. 

We  have  3  specimens,  2  males  and  I  female,  ranging  in  length 
from  40  to  42  mm.,  which,  in  the  absence  of  material  for  comparison, 
we  refer  somewhat  doubtfully  to  this  species.  The  scales  in  our  speci- 
mens do  not  become  smooth  posteriorly  and  the  lower  jaw  does  not 
protrude  as  described  in  the  type. 

Previously  recorded  only  from  Mazatlan.  Our  specimens  are  from 
tide  pools  at  Panama  City. 

642.  Gobionellus  encaeomus  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Gobius  encaomus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882  (1883), 

611  (Charleston,  South  Carolina)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2223. 

Head  3.75 ;  depth  5.7 ;  D.  VI-ii ;  A.  12 ;  scales  33  to  36. 

Body  elongate,  notably  compressed;  head  quite  as  broad  as  deep; 
snout  very  short  and  blunt,  4.5  to  6  in  head ;  eye  partly  superior,  3.75 
to  4 ;  interorbital  narrow,  not  much  wider  than  pupil ;  cheeks  swollen ; 
mouth  rather  small,  terminal,  nearly  horizontal;  maxillary  reaching 
opposite  middle  of  eye,  2.6  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  well  developed, 
in  bands,  curved  inward,  the  outer  series  in  upper  jaw  somewhat 
enlarged  and  well  separated  from  the  others;  isthmus  broad;  scales 
ctenoid,  wanting  in  advance  of  first  dorsal  and  on  median  line  of 
abdomen ;  dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  first  with  low,  slender  spines, 
shorter  than  the  head;  second  dorsal  highest  posteriorly,  the  last  rays 
reaching  nearly  to  base  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  scarcely  pointed,  only 
slightly  longer  than  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal;  ventral 
disk  rather  long,  reaching  vent  (male)  ;  pectoral  fins  reaching  tip  of 
ventrals,  1.15  to  1.2  in  head. 

Color  dark  i^ivaceous ;  median  line  of  sides  with  a  series  of  5 
elongate  dark  spots,  two  or  three  of  them  on  middle  of  sides  with 
upward  projections,  forming  V-shaped  bars  (in  male)  ;  a  black  spot, 
slightly  larger  than  the  pupil,  above  and  behind  the  upper  angle  of 
gill-opening;  dorsals  and  caudal  with  dark  dots,  forming  cross-bars; 
anal  fin  pale,  with  an  indication  of  a  dark  longitudinal  intramarginal 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       885 

bar;  ventral  disk  dusky  or  with  a  broad  pale  margin;  pectoral  fins 
pale  translucent. 

We  have  2  specimens,  30  and  40  mm.  long,  which  we  doubtfully 
refer  to  this  species. 

Heretofore  known  from  South  Carolina  to  the  Florida  Keys.  Our 
specimens  were  taken  in  a  brackish  drainage  ditch  at  Colon. 

643.  Gobionellus  boleosoma  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Gobius  boleosoma  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  295 

(Laguna  Grande,  Pensacola,  Florida)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2221. 
Ctenogobius  boleosoma  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ. 

Series.,  1913,68  (Natal). 

Head  3.45  to  3.7;  depth  4.35  to  5.25;  D.  VII-n  or  12;  A.  9  or  10; 
scales  27  or  28. 

Body  compressed ;  head  quite  as  broad  as  deep ;  snout  very  short 
and  blunt,  5.5  to  6.5  in  head;  eyes  rather  large,  3.05  to  3.8  in  head; 
interorbital  space  about  half  the  width  of  eye;  mouth  rather  small, 
terminal,  oblique ;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.6  to 
2.75  in  head;  teeth  moderate,  in  bands  in  each  jaw,  the  outer  ones 
enlarged,  those  of  the  upper  jaw  separated  from  the  others  by  an 
interspace ;  isthmus  broad ;  scales  ctenoid,  wanting  on  back  in  advance 
of  second  dorsal,  head,  chest  and  abdomen ;  dorsal  fins  low,  well 
separated,  none  of  the  rays  as  long  as  head ;  caudal  fin  broadly  rounded, 
shorter  than  head ;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal ;  ventral  disk  rather 
short,  failing  to  reach  vent ;  pectorals  moderate,  reaching  opposite 
vent,  i  to  1.2  in  head. 

Color  grayish,  sides  with  dark  markings,  forming  indistinct  cross- 
bars ;  base  of  caudal  with  2  small  irregular  spots ;  fins  mostly  plain 
translucent;  the  anal  fin  and  ventral  disk  dusky;  pectoral  fins  with  an 
indication  of  a  dark  bar  on  base. 

We  have  3  specimens,  respectively  23,  27  and  30  mm.  in  length, 
which  we  somewhat  doubtfully  refer  to  this  species.  Typical  speci- 
mens of  G.  boleosoma  have  6  dorsal  spines  and  the  caudal  fin  produced, 
lanceolate,  in  adult  males. 

Previously  recorded  only  from  Pensacola,  Florida,  and  Natal, 
Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from  a  brackish  creek  near  Mindi  and 
from  tide  pools  at  Colon. 

230.  Genus  Bollmannia  Jordan. 

Bollmannia  Jordan,  in  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889, 
164  (type  Bollmannia  chlamydes  Jordan). 


886     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  interorbital  narrow  and 
without  trace  of  a  median  keel ;  no  fleshy  processes  on  inner  edge  of 
shoulder  girdle ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  several  series ;  scales  large,  ctenoid, 
not  much  reduced  anteriorly,  present  on  nape  and  cheeks. 

644.  Bollmannia  chlamydes  Jordan. 

Bollmannia  chlamydes  Jordan,  in  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.,   1889,   164  (Albatross  Stations  2800,  2802,  2803,  2804  and 

2805;  Panama  Bay,  7  to  51^  fathoms)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2238,  PI.  CCCXXVIII,  fig.  791 ; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  174. 

Head  3.5;  depth  4.5;  D.  VII-I5;  A.  15;  scales  about  28. 

Body  rather  robust,  compressed;  head  large  and  heavy,  its  profile 
evenly  curved ;  eye  longer  than  snout,  3.75  to  4  in  head ;  interorbital 
very  narrow,  concave,  its  least  width  about  one-third  of  eye ;  mouth 
very  large,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  maxillary  reaching  to 
opposite  pupil,  2.2  to  2.3  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  small,  sharp,  in 
several  series,  the  outer  one,  especially  in  the  lower  jaw,  somewhat 
enlarged ;  scales  very  large,  ctenoid,  little  reduced  on  breast  and  nape, 
about  8  in  advance  of  dorsal ;  top  and  sides  of  head  with  large  scales ; 
cheeks  with  four  rows,  opercles  with  2  rows  of  scales  above ;  dorsal  spine 
slender,  filamentous,  the  fifth  the  longest,  1.2  in  head;  first  ray  of  soft 
dorsal  2.4  in  head ;  caudal  fin  long,  the  median  rays  somewhat  more 
than  half  the  length  of  body;  first  anal  ray  equal  to  snout;  ventrals 
1.33  in  head;  pectorals  1.2. 

Color  olivaceous,  darker  above ;  scales  with  a  few  black  dots,  some 
of  the  posterior  ones  occasionally  dark  edged ;  sides  with  8  to  10  obscure 
vertical  dusky  bars,  narrower  than  the  interspaces,  and  in  some  speci- 
mens wholly  wanting;  snout  bluish;  opercles  with  a  dark  shade;  lips, 
gular  region,  and  anterior  branchiostegals  very  dark  in  males;  upper 
part  of  spinous  dorsal  darkest,  with  a  few  lighter  dark  edged  oval 
spots ;  a  well  marked  black  blotch  between  the  last  two  spines ;  soft 
dorsal  dusky,  usually  with  about  3  well  developed  rows  of  lighter 
dark  edged  oval  spots ;  anal  dusky,  crossed  by  2  narrow  bluish  streaks ; 
caudal,  pectorals  and  ventrals  dusky,  tinged  with  blue;  ventrals  edged 
with  pale. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  known  only  from  speci- 
mens taken  in  Panama  Bay  by  the  Albatross.  This  fish  apparently 
does  not  occur  in  shallow  water  along  the  shore.  The  above  descrip- 
tion is  compiled  from  published  accounts  of  the  species. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA — MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       887 

231.  Genus  Aboma  Jordan  &  Starks. 

Aboma  Jordan  &  Starks,  in  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V, 

1895,  497  (type  Aboma  etheostoma  Jordan  &  Starks). 

Body  more  or  less  compressed  posteriorly;  head  depressed,  rather 

long,  somewhat  pointed;  mouth  moderate,  not  very  oblique;  teeth  in 

narrow  bands,  rather  strong,  the  outer  and  inner  series  in  each  jaw 

enlarged;  no  flaps  on  shoulder  girdle;  scales  large,  ctenoid,  wanting 

on  head ;  dorsal  spines  short,  not  filamentous,  more  than  6  in  number ; 

soft  dorsal  and  anal  short,  each  with  10  to  12  rays;  ventral  fins  united. 

645.  Aboma  lucretise  (Eigenmann  &  Eigenmann). 

Gobius  lucretice  Eigenmann  &  Eigenmann,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser., 

I,  1888,  57  (Pearl  Island,  Panama  Bay). 
Aboma  lucretice  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2241 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  174. 

Head  3.5;  depth  5.33;  D.  VII-io;  A.  12;  scales  28. 

Body  slightly  compressed  posteriorly;  head  little  wider  than  deep; 
eye  placed  high,  equal  to  length  of  snout,  4.5  in  head ;  mouth  large, 
oblique;  maxillary  extending  beyond  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2  in 
head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  narrow  bands,  recurved,  the  outer  and  inner 
series  enlarged,  largest  in  front;  scales  large,  weakly  ctenoid,  becoming 
cycloid  and  very  much  crowded  above  and  below  pectoral ;  head,  breast 
and  anterior  part  of  nape  naked ;  dorsal  spines  slender,  not  filamentous ; 
caudal  fin  pointed,  3  in  length  of  body;  ventrals  1.25  in  head;  pectorals 
longer  than  head. 

Color  light  brown,  with  4  oblique  dark  cross-bars  as  wide  as  the 
interspaces;  4  narrower  transverse  bars  on  nape  and  back;  a  large 
dusky  spot  at  base  of  caudal;  upper  half  of  base  of  pectoral  black; 
a  black  spot  on  opercle,  margined  above  and  behind  with  silvery;  fins 
dusky. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  It  is  known  from  a  single  specimen 
taken  at  Pearl  Island,  Panama  Bay.  The  above  description  is  compiled 
from  published  accounts  of  the  species. 

232.  Genus  Enypnias  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Enypnias  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2233   (type  Gobius  seminudus  Giinther). 

This  genus  differs  from  Garmannia  principally  in  the  presence  of 
4  barbels  about  the  mouth.  Two  of  these  are  inserted  on  edge  of 
upper  jaw  just  behind  the  lip,  somewhat  below  anterior  nostril.  The 


888     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

other  2  are  on  the  chin,  arising  from  the  median  frenum  of  the  lower 
lip.  Both  nostrils,  unlike  in  Garmannia,  end  in  a  short  tube.  Scales 
present  on  posterior  part  of  body  only ;  dorsal  spines  6  or  7. 

646.  Enypnias  seminudus  (Giinther). 

Gobius  seminudus  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1861,  372  (West 

coast  of  Central  America). 
Garmannia  setninuda  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2233. 
Enypnias  seminudus  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904, 

173,  PI.  XXIX,  fig.  53  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.25  to  3.4;  depth  4  to  4.8;  D.  VII-I4  to  16;  A.  10  or  n; 
scales  50  to  60. 

Body  moderately  robust,  posteriorly  compressed ;  head  broader  than 
deep ;  snout  short,  blunt,  3.75  to  4.6  in  head ;  eye  4  to  5 ;  interorbital  a 
little  more  than  half  the  width  of  eye;  mouth  rather  large,  terminal, 
oblique ;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of 
eye,  2.1  to  2.7  in  head;  teeth  in  bands,  the  outer  series  in  each  jaw  and 
the  inner  series  in  the  lower  enlarged;  both  nostrils  ending  in  a  short 
tube ;  a  short  barbel  just  behind  margin  of  upper  lip  below  anterior 
nostril;  chin  with  2  barbels,  spring-ing  laterally  from  the  median  frenum 
of  the  lower  lip;  upper  surface  of  head  with  about  12  very  large  open 
pores;  scales  minute,  ctenoid,  wanting  on  back  in  advance  of  first 
dorsal,  head,  chest  and  median  line  of  abdomen;  first  dorsal  very  low, 
none  of  the  spines  produced;  second  dorsal  somewhat  higher;  caudal 
fin  broadly  rounded,  shorter  than  head ;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal 
but  somewhat  shorter ;  ventral  disk  short,  failing  to  reach  vent ;  pectoral 
fins  moderate,  reaching  well  beyond  tip  of  ventral  disk,  1.2  to  1.55  in 
head. 

Color  brownish,  variable ;  males  usually  with  broad  black  cross-bars ; 
females  usually  speckled  with  pale  spots;  some  specimens  uniformly 
brown,  others  slightly  marbled  with  black ;  fins  often  all  dark,  with  pale 
margins;  second  dorsal  and  caudal  spotted  in  the  lighter  colored  speci- 
mens. 

This  fish  is  represented  in  the  Panama  collection  by  9  specimens, 
ranging  in  length  from  27  to  52  mm.  The  wide  variation  in  color 
is  striking,  making  the  extreme  phases  appear  as  distinct  species. 
Our  specimens,  taken  in  March,  are  in  spawning  condition. 

Known  only  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  The  specimens  are 
from  Chame  Point  and  from  tide  pools  at  Panama  City. 


?   E 

<=>  2 
tr  £ 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       889 

233.  Genus  Gerhardinus  gen.  nov. 

Type  Gerhardinus  nudus  sp.  nov. 

This  genus  differs  from  Enypnias  principally  in  having  the  body 
entirely  naked.  We  take  pleasure  in  naming  this  genus  for  William  J. 
Gerhard,  Associate  Curator  of  the  Division  of  Insects,  Field  Museum 
of  Natural  History,  whose  untiring  efforts  on  the  proofs  of  the  present 
work  have  added  much  to  its  uniformity,  accuracy  and  usefulness. 

647.  Gerhardinus  nudus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXVIII.) 

Type  No.  81834,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  36  mm.;  tide  pools,  Panama 
City. 

Head  3.15  to  3.6;  depth  3.65  to  4.8;  D.  VI  or  VII-I2  or  13;  A.  10. 

Body  compressed  posteriorly;  head  somewhat  broader  than  deep; 
snout  short  and  blunt,  4.25  to  5.55  in  head ;  eye  3.6  to  4.35 ;  interorbital 
about  half  the  width  of  eye ;  mouth  moderate,  terminal,  slightly  oblique ; 
maxillary  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  vertical  from  posterior  margin 
of  eye,  2.25  to  2.5  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  bands,  the  outer  series 
in  each  jaw  and  the  inner  series  in  the  lower  jaw  somewhat  enlarged ; 
both  nostrils  ending  in  a  very  small  tube ;  a  minute  barbel  behind  upper 
lip  and  below  anterior  nostril ;  chin  with  2  small  barbels ;  scales  wanting ; 
first  dorsal  low,  none  of  the  spines  produced ;  second  dorsal  somewhat 
higher;  caudal  fin  broadly  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal 
but  shorter;  ventral  disk  small,  failing  to  reach  vent;  pectoral  fins 
reaching  well  beyond  the  tip  of  the  ventral  disk,  1.2  to  1.65  in  head. 

Color  grayish  brown;  sides  with  or  without  small  white  dots  and 
with  narrow  white  cross-bars;  median  line  of  sides  often  with  a  row 
of  black  dots ;  first  dorsal  dusky,  or  merely  with  a  black  spot ;  second 
dorsal  paler,  more  or  less  spotted  with  dusky ;  caudal  plain  translucent, 
with  a  dark  line  across  base ;  anal  fin  dusky  or  black ;  ventral  disk  plain 
translucent,  wholly  black  or  pale,  with  a  dark  margin;  pectoral  fins 
pale.  The  sexes  seem  to  be  similarly  colored. 

We  have  13  specimens  of  this  little  fish,  ranging  from  22  to  36  mm. 
in  length.  These  specimens  were  all  taken  during  March  and  most  of 
them  are  gravid.  Our  smallest  female,  only  22  mm.  in  length,  has  the 
ovaries  well  distended  with  eggs. 

Our  specimens  are  all  from  tide  pools  at  Balboa  and  Panama  City. 

234.  Genus  Garmannia  Jordan. 

Garmannia  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  497  (type 
Gobius  paradoxus  Giinther) . 


890     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  moderately  robust,  compressed;  no  barbels  about  the  mouth; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  bands,  the  outer  series  enlarged,  canine-like ;  scales 
ctenoid,  present  only  on  posterior  half  of  body;  dorsal  spines  6  or  7. 

648.  Garmannia  paradoxa  (Giinther). 

Gobius  paradoxus  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1861,  372  (West 

coast  of  Central  America). 
Garmannia  paradoxa  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  496, 

PI.  XLIX;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull..  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2232,    PL  CCCXXVII,  fig.  790;    Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir. 

Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  172,  PL  XXVIII,  fig.  52;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac. 

Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  412  (Panama). 

Head  3.5  to  3.75;  depth  3.85  to  5;  D.  VI  or  VII-I2;  A.  9  or  10. 

Body  compressed ;  head  compressed,  broader  than  deep ;  snout  short, 
obtuse,  4.8  to  6.1  in  head ;  eye  4.15  to  5.6;  interorbital  not  much  broader 
than  pupil;  chin  without  barbels;  mouth  terminal,  oblique;  maxillary 
reaching  nearly  opposite  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.15  to  2.6  in  head; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  bands,  the  outer  series  in  each  jaw  enlarged  and 
more  or  less  separated  by  an  interspace  from  the  other  teeth;  gill- 
openings  small,  not  longer  than  base  of  pectoral ;  scales  ctenoid,  present 
only  on  posterior  part  of  body,  i.e.,  behind  vertical  from  origin  of 
second  dorsal,  16  to  19  series  developed ;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  rays 
all  short  in  the  female,  the  first  spine  filamentous  in  the  male,  reaching 
well  beyond  origin  of  the  second  dorsal;  caudal  fin  broadly  rounded; 
not  produced  in  male,  always  shorter  than  head ;  anal  fin  similar  to 
second  dorsal;  ventral  disk  small,  failing  to  reach  vent;  pectoral  fins 
reaching  well  beyond  the  ventrals,  1.25  to  1.55  in  head. 

Color  of  the  male  nearly  uniform  dark  brown,  the  lighter  colored 
specimens  with  indications  of  dark  bars  on  back  and  a  series  of  dark 
lateral  spots ;  fins  of  about  the  same  color  as  the  body,  except  the  ventral 
disk  which  is  darker ;  pectorals  often  somewhat  lighter ;  filamentous  ray 
of  the  first  dorsal  and  the  margin  of  both  dorsals  white  in  spirits;  the 
ground  color  of  the  female  somewhat  paler  and  the  entire  head  and 
body,  except  the  abdomen,  which  is  usually  wholly  pale,  speckled  with 
pale  spots ;  some  specimens  with  more  or  less  distinct  cross-bars  on  back ; 
dorsal  and  caudal  fins  densely  speckled  with  black;  anal  and  ventrals 
dusky,  each  with  pale  margin ;  pectorals  slightly  speckled  or  plain  trans- 
lucent. 

This  goby  is  the  most  abundant  fish  in  the  rocky  tide  pools  at  Panama 
City  where  numerous  specimens,  ranging  from  20  to  52  mm.  in  length, 
were  collected. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       891 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.     Our  specimens  are  from  tide 
pools  at  Balboa  and  Panama  City. 


235.  Genus  Gobiosoma  Girard. 

Gobiosoma    Girard,    Proc.    Ac.    Nat.    Sci.    Phila.,    1858,    169    (type 
Gobiosoma  molestum  Girard). 

Body  compressed  posteriorly;  head  more  or  less  depressed;  snout 
blunt ;  mouth  moderate,  horizontal ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  several  series  or 
in  bands,  the  outer  row  enlarged,  no  canines;  barbels  wanting;  scales 
entirely  wanting;  shoulder  girdle  without  flaps;  dorsal  spines  usually 
7,  rarely  5  or  6;  second  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  n  to  14  rays. 

649.  Gobiosoma  molestum  Girard. 

Gobiosoma  molestum  Girard,  Proc.  Ac.   Nat.   Sci.  Phila.,   1858,   169 

(Indiahola,  Texas)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2258. 
Gobiosoma  alepidotum  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882, 

297  (Laguna  Grande,  Pensacola,  Florida). 

Head  3.2  to  3.5;  depth  4  to  4.5;  D.  VII-I2  or  13;  A.  12. 

Body  rather  short  and  chubby ;  head  depressed,  more  or  less  rounded 
above ;  mouth  horizontal ;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  orbit ; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  several  series,  the  outer  ones  somewhat  enlarged. 

Color  olivaceous,  with  dark  points ;  sides  with  narrow  alternating 
light  and  dark  bars;  a  row  of  small  dark  spots  along  middle  of  sides; 
breast  with  many  well  defined  spots ;  a  dark  line  running  forward  and 
downward  from  eye  to  angle  of  mouth,  another  extending  straight 
downward  from  eye;  a  black  bar  on  edge  of  preopercle,  and  a  black 
spot  on  upper  edge  of  opercle;  first  dorsal  with  3  oblique  dark  bars; 
second  dorsal,  caudal  and  pectorals  finely  barred ;  base  and  edge  of  anal 
light,  middle  dark. 

This  fish  was  not  taken  on  the  coast  of  Panama  but  may  be  expected 
there,  because  it  is  recorded  from  localities  both  north  and  south  of  the 
Isthmus.  The  above  description  is  compiled  from  published  accounts. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  coast  of  the  United  States  south  to  Bahia, 
Brazil. 

236.  Genus  Evermannia  Jordan. 

Evermannia  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  IV,  1895,  592  (type 
Gobiosoma  zosterurwn  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 


892     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  slender,  compressed  behind ;  head  long,  slender,  snout  pointed ; 
maxillary  more  or  less  produced  backward;  teeth  small,  slender,  in 
narrow  bands  in  each  jaw,  the  outer  ones  in  upper  jaw  slightly  enlarged ; 
a  rather  long  flexible  dermal  flap  on  shoulder-girdle ;  scales  very  small, 
embedded,  visible  only  under  strong  magnification;  first  dorsal  with  4 
spines;  second  dorsal  and  anal  each  with  about  13  to  16  rays;  caudal 
fin  lanceolate;  ventral  fins  united. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Second  dorsal  with  15  rays;  second  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  in 
male  with  black  bands;  second  dorsal  and  anal  in  female 
checkered,  but  without  black  bands.  sosterura,  p.  892. 

aa.  Second  dorsal  with  16  rays;  second  dorsal  and  caudal  in  male 
mostly  translucent,  without  black  bands,  the  anal  fin  black  at 
base,  its  upper  half  plain  translucent;  second  dorsal  and  caudal 
in  female  more  or  less  dusky,  with  plain  translucent  membranes, 
the  anal  fin  with  dusky  base,  the  marginal  third  translucent  or 
whitish.  panamensis,  p.  893. 

650.  Evermannia  zosterura  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Gobiosoma  zosterurum  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881, 

361  (Mazatlan). 
Evermannia  sosterura  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  498, 

PI.  LI  (Mazatlan)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  178  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.25;  depth  5  or  6;  D.  IV-I5;  A.  14  or  15. 

Body  long,  compressed;  head  rather  long;  snout  not  very  blunt, 
about  5  in  head;  eye  placed  high,  equal  to  length  of  snout;  mouth 
oblique,  terminal;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  eye;  teeth 
small,  in  villif orm  bands,  the  outer  ones  in  upper  jaw  slightly  enlarged ; 
shoulder  girdle  with  a  single  rather  long  flexible  appendage;  scales 
few  in  number,  embedded,  visible  only  when  detached  portions  of  the 
skin  are  placed  under  high  magnification;  spinous  dorsal  high  in  male, 
the  first  spine  filamentous,  reaching  to  middle  of  soft  dorsal,  notably 
lower  in  female;  caudal  fin  shorter  than  head;  ventral  fins  rather  long, 
united ;  pectoral  fins  shorter  than  ventrals,  2  in  head. 

Color  of  male  olivaceous,  sometimes  vaguely  barred  with  traces  of 
8  olive  cross-bands;  dorsal  and  anal  yellowish  at  base,  then  a  broad 
median  band  of  jet-black,  then  a  broad  white  margin ;  middle  of  caudal 
yellow  to  tip,  with  a  black  longitudinal  band  above  and  below,  with 
white  margin  above  and  below;  pectorals  and  ventrals  dusky;  female 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       893 

with  dorsals  and  anal  plainly  checkered  with  black;  caudal  fin  faintly 
barred ;  all  vertical  fins  with  pale  margins  but  without  the  black  stripes 
of  the  male. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  compiled 
from  published  accounts.  The  species  is  known  from  Mazatlan  and 
Panama.  The  Panama  records  are  based  on  7  specimens  secured  by 
Prof.  C.  H.  Gilbert  and  associates  in  1896. 

651.  Evermannia  panamensis  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Evermannia  panamensis  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  179,  PI.  XXX,  fig.  55  (Panama). 

Head  3.2;  depth  5.5;  D.  IV-i6;  A.  14. 

Body  slender,  compressed,  tapering  little  posteriorly;  head  rather 
long;  eye  small,  6.5  in  head;  interorbital  narrow,  less  than  half  the 
diameter  of  eye;  mouth  large,  slightly  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  included; 
maxillary  reaching  an  eye's  diameter  beyond  eye,  about  2  in  head ;  teeth 
minute,  in  a  narrow  band  on  edge  of  each  jaw,  the  outer  ones  slightly 
enlarged ;  shoulder-girdle  with  a  rather  long  flexible  appendage ;  scales 
small,  cycloid,  partially  embedded,  not  easily  distinguishable ;  the  anterior 
dorsal  spines  produced,  the  first  filamentous  in  the  male;  second  dorsal 
and  anal  similar;  caudal  fin  lanceolate;  ventral  fins  united,  rather  long; 
pectorals  short,  failing  to  reach  beyond  tip  of  ventrals. 

Color  of  male  in  alcohol  dusky  brown,  somewhat  lighter  on  median 
line  of  abdomen ;  a  faint  vertical  dark  line  below  the  eye ;  dorsal, 
pectorals,  ventrals  and  upper  half  of  caudal  with  translucent  membranes 
and  dusky  rays ;  lower  half  of  caudal  black ;  base  of  anal  black,  its  upper 
half  translucent.  Color  of  female  lighter  and  the  pattern  less  uniform ; 
the  ground  color  light  olive;  the  upper  parts  of  head  and  back  finely 
mottled  with  brown;  sides  of  body  with  narrow  streaks;  upper  half 
of  caudal  plain  or  faintly  cross-banded,  the  lower  half  translucent  or 
faintly  shaded,  the  two  halves  never  strongly  contrasting  as  in  the 
male ;  basal  two-thirds  of  anal  fin  dusky,  the  marginal  third  translucent 
or  whitish. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  compiled 
from  the  original.  The  species  is  said  to  differ  from  E.  sosterura  in 
being  more  extensively  scaled,  in  having  one  or  two  more  soft  rays  in 
the  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  and  in  coloration.  This  fish  is  known  only 
from  Panama  reef,  where  Prof.  C.  H.  Gilbert  and  associates  took  40 
specimens  in  tide  pools  in  1896.  Although  the  tide  pools  on  this  reef 
were  thoroughly  fished  by  us  in  1912,  the  species  was  not  taken. 


894    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

237.  Genus  Gobioides  Lacepede. 

Gobioides  Lacepede,   Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,   II,    1800,   576   (type   Gobius 

broussonnetii  Lacepede). 
Plecopodus  Rafinesque,  Analyse   Nat.,  etc.,    1815,  87    (substitute  for 

Gobioides,  regarded  as  objectionable). 
Ognichodes  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  183  and  278 

(type  Gobioides  broussonnetii  Lacepede;  a  needless  substitute). 

Body  very  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  small;  eyes  very 
small;  mouth  large,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  teeth  in  the  jaws 
in  bands,  the  outer  series  much  enlarged;  scales  very  minute;  dorsal 
rays  V  to  VII,  15  to  23;  anal  16  to  23;  dorsal  fin  low,  continuous; 
soft  dorsal  and  anal  joined  to  base  of  caudal ;  ventrals  united  in  a  disk, 
free  from  abdomen. 

652.  Gobioides  broussonnetii  Lacepede. 

Gobioides  broussonnetii  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  II,  1800,  580,  PL 

XVII,    fig.    i    (probably    from    Surinam,    "given    by    Holland    to 

France")  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2263. 
Amblyopus  brasiliensis  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  69  (Bra- 

,  zil ;  on  a  drawing  made  by  Prince  Maurice) . 
Gobius  oblongus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,   1801,  548   (based 

on  Lacepede). 

Gobioides  barreto  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  282  (Cuba). 
Amblyopus  mexicanus  O'Shaughenessy,  Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.,  4th 

Ser.,  XV,  1875,  147  (Mexico). 
Gobioides  broussoneti  Jordan  &  Eigenmann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1886,  512. 

Head  5.25  to  7;  depth  14;  D.  VI  or  VII,  15  to  17;  A.  16  or  17. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  eye  small,  but  evident,  7  to  10  in  head ; 
mouth  oblique;  maxillary  extending  beyond  eye;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in 
bands,  the  outer  series  enlarged;  scales  larger  than  in  related  species, 
becoming  smaller  anteriorly,  not  imbricated. 

Color  brownish,  violet  bars  extending  downward  and  forward  on 
upper  part  of  body,  sometimes  with  a  lighter  or  darker  dot  at  the  end 
of  each  bar;  head  marbled  or  spotted  with  dark  violet  or  brown. 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  compiled 
from  published  accounts.  It  has  been  recorded  from  New  Orleans, 
La.,  to  Brazil,  and  may,  therefore,  be  expected  on  the  Panama  coast. 
This  species  is  said  to  reach  a  length  of  about  500  mm.  or  more. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       895 

Family  LXXV.    Echeneididae. 

THE  REMORAS. 

Body  elongate  or  slender;  head  depressed  above,  with  a  large  oval 
disk  consisting  of  crosswise  partitions  or  laminae  and  a  single  length- 
wise septum;  lower  jaw  projecting  beyond  upper;  mouth  wide;  teeth 
villiform,  present  on  jaws,  vomer,  palatines  and  usually  on  tongue ;  gill- 
arches  4;  gill-membranes  free  from  the  isthmus;  branchiostegals  7; 
scales  minute,  cycloid;  air-bladder  wanting;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  long 
and  low;  ventral  fins  thoracic;  pectoral  fins  placed  high.  Four  genera 
are  represented  in  American  waters,  only  two  of  which  have  as  yet 
been  recorded  from  Panama  but  a  third  one  may  be  expected  there. 
The  fishes  of  this  family  are  instantly  recognized  by  the  presence  of 
the  large  oval  sucking  disk  on  the  head,  by  means  of  which  they  adhere 
firmly  to  sharks  and  other  fishes  as  well  as  to  turtles,  boats  and  other 
objects.  The  sucking  disk  is  regarded  by  ichthyologists  as  a  modified 
spinous  dorsal  fin. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Body  long  and  slender;  ventral  fins  narrowly  adnate  to  the 
abdomen;  lower  jaw  produced  in  a  flap. 

b.  Laminae  10.  Phtheirichthys,  p.  895. 
bb.     Laminae  20  to  28.  Echeneis,  p.  896. 
aa.     Body  rather  robust ;  ventrals  rather  broadly  adnate  to  abdomen ; 

lower  jaw  not  produced  as  a  flap;  laminae  13  to  18. 

Rewiora,  p.  897. 

238.  Genus  Phtheirichthys  Gill. 
Phtheirichthys  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  239  (type  Echeneis 

lineata  Menzies). 

Body  very  elongate;  disk  with  only  10  laminae;  other  characters 
mostly  as  in  Echeneis.  A  single  species  is  known. 

653.  Phtheirichthys  lineatus  (Menzies). 

Echeneis  lineata  Menzies,  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  London,  I,  1791,  187,  PI. 

XVII,  fig.  i  (Pacific  Ocean,  between  the  tropics). 
Echeneis  tropica  Euphrasen,  Handl.  K.  Sven.  Vet.-Aked.,  XII,  1791, 

317  (Atlantic,  between  the  tropics). 
Echeneis  apicalis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  254  (Cuba). 
Echeneis  sphyrcenarum    Poey,    Memorias,    II,    1861,   255    (Cuba;  on 

Barracudas). 
Phthirichthys  lineatus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882  (1883),  969. 


896     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Phtheirichthys  lineatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2268. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  following  description  is  copied 
from  Jordan  &  Evermann  (1898)  : 

"Head  5 ;  disk  twice  as  long  as  broad,  its  length  4^/2  m  body.  D. 
X~33;  A.  33.  Lower  jaw  very  narrow,  much  projecting.  Body 
blackish,  with  2  whitish  lateral  bands ;  all  the  fins  white-margined." 

A  widely  distributed  species,  inhabiting  tropical  seas.  It  is  not 
recorded  from  Panama  but  it  may  be  expected  there. 

239.  Genus  Echeneis  Linnaeus. 

Echeneis  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  260  (type  Echeneis  naucrates 

Linnaeus). 
Leptecheneis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1864,  60  (type  Echeneis 

naucrates  Linnaeus). 

Body  slender,  fusiform ;  disk  long,  with  20  to  28  laminae ;  soft  dorsal 
with  numerous  short  rays;  anal  similar,  the  anterior  rays  somewhat 
elongate;  caudal  slightly  concave  behind;  ventrals  long,  the  inner  rays 
narrowly  adnate  to  abdomen;  pectorals  pointed,  the  rays  soft  and 
flexible. 

654.  Echeneis  naucrates  Linnaeus. 

Echeneis  neucrates  (misprint  for  naucrates)  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed. 
X,  1758,  261  ("in  Pelago  Indico")  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 
Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2269,  PL  CCCXXIX,  fig.  796;  Boulenger, 
Boll.  Mus.  Zool.  Anat.  Torino,  XIV,  No.  346,  1899,  3  (Gulf  of 
Panama)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  180. 

Echeneis  albacauda  Mitchill,  Amer.  Monthly  Mag.,  II,  1818,  244  (New 
York). 

Echeneis  lunata  Bancroft,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  I,  1831,  134  (Ja- 
maica)* 

Echeneis  vittata  Riippell,  Neue  Wirbelthiere,  1835,  82  (Red  Sea). 

Echeneis  fusca  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  92  (after  E.  naucrates  Lin- 
nseus). 

Echeneis  guaican  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  248  (Cuba). 

Echeneis  metallica  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  252  (Cuba). 

Echeneis  verticalis  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  253  (Cuba). 

Leptecheneis  naucrates  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1864,  61. 
Head  4.8  to  5.25 ;  depth  12.3  to  14.6;  D.  31  to  35 ;  A.  30  to  34. 
Body  slender;  head  depressed,  bearing  a  sucking  disk  composed  of 

23  or  24  laminae;  length  of  disk  3.5  to  3.9  in  head;  snout  broadly 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       897 

angular,  notably  shorter  than  the  broad  flap-like  lower  lip,  its  length 
1.95  to  2.45  in  head;  eye  4.2  to  5.8;  interorbital  1.9  to  2.3;  mouth 
moderate,  oblique;  maxillary  2.9  to  3.3  in  head;  teeth  in  villiform 
bands,  present  on  jaws,  tongue  and  on  practically  the  entire  roof  of 
mouth;  gill-rakers  small,  scarcely  half  the  length  of  eye,  about  15  on 
lower  limb  of  first  arch ;  scales  minute ;  dorsal  fin  rather  low,  some- 
what elevated  anteriorly ;  caudal  fin  long,  the  median  rays  produced, 
filamentous  in  the  smallest  specimen  at  hand;  anal  fin  a  little  higher 
anteriorly  than  dorsal,  its  origin  under  that  of  the  dorsal,  and  coter- 
minal  with  it;  ventral  fins  rather  long,  pointed,  as  long  as  pectorals, 
the  inner  rays  adherent  to  abdomen  at  base ;  pectoral  rays  more  or  less 
pointed,  1.4  to  1.8  in  head. 

Color  dark  brown  above  and  below;  sides  of  head  with  a  black 
stripe  extending  from  snout  through  eye ;  dorsal  and  anal  dark  brown, 
the  distal  parts  of  the  anterior  rays  pale;  caudal  fin  black,  with  the 
outer  rays  pale;  ventral  and  pectoral  fins  mostly  dark  brown  in  our 
darkest  specimens,  largely  pale  in  the  lighter  colored  ones. 

There  are  6  specimens  of  this  species  at  hand,  ranging  in  length 
from  62  to  165  mm.  This  species  adheres  to  larger  fish  apparently 
regardless  of  species  and  is  carried  about  by  them,  but  they  occasionally 
forsake  their  host  and  are  taken  separately.  One  of  our  specimens 
was  taken  separately,  one  adhering  to  a  shark  and  four  of  them, 
taken  by  H.  Pittier,  are  reported  to  have  adhered  to  "Picudo"  (bar- 
racuda) fishes. 

Known  from  all  warm  seas.  Recorded  from  the  Gulf  of  Panama 
by  Boulenger.  Our  specimens  are  all  from  the  Atlantic  coast,  viz., 
Mindi  Cut,  Porto  Bello  and  Alligandi  on  the  San  Bias  coast.  The 
specimens  from  Alligandi  were  collected  by  H.  Pittier. 

240.  Genus  Remora  Gill. 

Remora  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,   1862,  239   (type  Echeneis 

remora  Linnaeus). 
Remoropsis  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  88  (type  Echeneis 

brachypterus  Lowe). 
Remorina  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.    U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  490  (type  Echeneis  albescens  Temmick  &  Schlegel). 

Body  comparatively  stout;  disk  relatively  short,  with  13  to  18 
laminae ;  soft  dorsal  with  22  to  32  rays ;  anal  rays  22  to  30 ;  caudal  with 
straight  or  slightly  concave  margin ;  ventrals  rather  short,  broadly 
adnate  to  abdomen;  pectorals  short,  rounded. 


898     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

KEY   TO  THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Laminae  about  18:  dorsal  rays  23.  remora,  p.  898. 
aa.  Laminae  13  to  16. 

b.  Dorsal  rays  22;  laminae   13.  albescens,  p.  898. 
bb.  Dorsal  rays  29  to  32;  laminae  14  to  16.  brachyptera,p.8gg. 

655.  Remora  remora  (Linnaeus). 

Echeneis  remora  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  260  ("in  Pelago 

Indico"). 

Echeneis  squalipeta  Daldorf,  Skriv.  Nat.  Selskab.  Kjob.,  II,  1793,  157 
Echeneis  jacobcea  Lowe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1839,  89  (Madeira). 
Echeneis  parva  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  92  (no  locality;  after  E.  remora 

Linnaeus). 

Echeneis  postica  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  255  (Havana). 
Remora  jacobcea  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  240. 
Remora  remora  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  372  (Panama)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2271 ; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  180. 

Head  4;  depth  about  6.6;  D.  23;  A.  25. 

Body  comparatively  robust,  compressed  behind ;  head  rather 
broad,  depressed ;  lower  jaw  not  produced  into  a  flap ;  maxillary 
reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye;  disk  longer  than  the  dorsal  or  anal 
fin,  consisting  of  about  18  laminae;  vertical  fins  rather  high;  caudal 
fin  rather  broad,  with  posterior  margin  concave;  ventral  fins  joined 
to  abdomen  by  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  inner  rays;  pectoral 
fins  short,  broad,  rounded,  1.6  in  head. 

Color  nearly  uniform  dark  brown. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us,  but  it  is  recorded  from  the 
Pacific  coast  of  Panama  by  Jordan,  1885.  This  remora  is  usually 
observed  attached  to  large  sharks. 

A  widely  distributed  species,  occurring  in  the  warm  seas,  and  on 
both  coasts  of  America,  as  far  north  as  Woods  Hole,  Mass.,  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  and  San  Francisco  on  the  Pacific. 

656.  Remora  albescens  (Temmick  &  Schlegel). 

Echeneis  albescens  Temmick   &   Schlegel,  in   Siebold,   Fauna  Japon., 

Pisces,  1850,  272,  PI.  CXX,  fig.  3  (Japan)  ;  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit. 

Mus.,  II,  1860,  377. 
Remora  albescens  Jordan,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIII,  1885  (1887), 

854 ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2272. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.     It  is  characterized  by  the  short 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       899 

disk  which  consists  of  about  13  laminae  and  the  short  dorsal  fin  which 
has  only  about  22  rays.     Its  color  is  uniform  grayish  brown. 

This  remora  inhabits  the  tropical  Pacific,  occasionally  straying  to 
the  coast  of  America.  It  is  not  recorded  from  Panama,  but  it  may  be 
expected  there. 

657.  Remora  brachyptera  (Lowe). 

Echeneis    brachyptera    Lowe,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.    London,    1839,    89 

(Madeira). 
Echeneis  sex-decim  lamellata  Eydoux  &  Gervais,  Mag.  Zool.,   1837, 

Cl.  IV,  i,  PI.  XVI  (Indian  Ocean?). 
Echeneis  quatuordecimlaminatus  Storer,   Bost.  Journ.   Nat.  Hist.,  II, 

1839,  496  (Holmes  Hole). 
Echeneis  pallida  Temmick  &  Schlegel,  in  Siebold,  Fauna  Japon.,  Pisces, 

1850,  271,  PI.  CXX,  figs.  2  &  3  (Japan). 

Remoropsis  brachypterus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1864,  60. 
Remora  brachyptera  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2272,  PL  CCCXXX,  figs.  797  and  797a. 

This  remora  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  characterized  by  the  short 
disk  which  consists  of  14  to  16  laminae  and  by  the  long  dorsal  fin 
which  has  29  to  32  rays.  The  color  is  light  brown  above  and  darker 
below. 

A  widely  distributed  species,  occurring  in  warm  seas.  It  is  not 
recorded  from  Panama  but  it  may  be  expected  there. 


Family  LXXVI.    Opisthognathidae. 

THE  JAW-FISHES. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  low,  moderately  compressed ;  head  large, 
naked,  the  anterior  profile  decurved,  no  ridges,  spines,  or  crests ;  mouth 
wide,  terminal,  horizontal ;  premaxillaries  protractile ;  supplemental 
maxillary  present;  teeth  pointed,  in  bands  on  jaws,  usually  one  or  a 
few  on  vomer;  opercles  unarmed;  pseudobranchise  present;  gills  4, 
a  slit  behind  the  fourth ;  gill-membranes  somewhat  united ;  branchi- 
ostegals  6;  dorsal  and  anal  long  and  low,  the  spines  of  the  dorsal 
flexible  and  passing  gradually  into  the  soft  rays ;  ventral  fins  jugular, 
I,  5  rays.  A  single  genus  and  2  species  are  known  from  the  Pacific 
coast  of  Panama. 


9OO     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

241.  Genus  Opisthognathus  Cuvier. 

Opistognathus   Cuvier,   Regne   Animal,    Ed.    I,    II,    1817,   252    (type 

Opistognathus  sonnerati  Cuvier;  Opisthognathus  intended?). 
Gnathypops  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  241   (type  Opistho- 
gnathus maxilloisus  Poey). 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly  at  least;  head 
large,  with  no  spines,  ridges  or  crests;  mouth  terminal,  horizontal, 
wide;  the  maxillary  moderate,  truncate  in  female,  greatly  produced 
in  the  male;  teeth  pointed,  in  bands  on  the  jaws;  gill-rakers  rather 
long,  slender. 

KEY   TO   THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Anterior  part  of  dorsal  fin  with  a  large  black  ocellus  and  with 
pale  spots ;  caudal  fin  with  2  large  pale  spots  at  the  base ; 
scales  135  to  155.  scops,  p.  900. 

aa.  No  black  blotch  or  ocellus  on  dorsal  fin,  posterior  part  of 
dorsal  fin  with  white  ocelli ;  the  caudal  fin  without  2  large  pale 
spots  at  base;  scales  about  125.  punctata,  p.  901. 

658.  Opisthognathus  scops  (Jenkins  &  Evermann). 

Gnathypops  scops  Jenkins  &  Evermann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1888, 

152    (Guaymas)  ;  Jordan  &   Evermann,   Bull.   U.    S.    Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2283. 
Opisthognathus  ommata  Jenkins  &  Evermann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1888,  153  (Guaymas). 
Opisthognathus  ommatum  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2282. 

Head  3  to  3.3;  depth  3.4  to  3.75;  D.  27  or  28;  A.  19  or  20;  scales 
135  to  155. 

Body  rather  robust  anteriorly,  compressed,  tapering  posteriorly; 
head  large,  not  quite  as  broad  as  deep;  snout  very  short,  5  to  6  in 
head;  eye  very  large,  2.75  to  3.1  in  head;  interorbital  n  to  14;  mouth 
large,  horizontal;  jaws  subequal;  maxillary  moderate  in  female,  trun- 
cate, failing  to  reach  margin  of  preopercle,  1.5  to  1.7  in  head,  produced 
in  a  flexible,  pointed  flap  in  the  male,  reaching  the  bony  margin  of 
opercle,  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  length  of  head;  teeth  pointed,  in 
bands  on  jaws,  the  outer  series  on  upper  jaw  enlarged,  a  single 
pointed  tooth  on  vomer ;  gill-membranes  connected  at  isthmus ;  gill- 
rakers  slender,  scarcely  half  the  length  of  the  eye,  25  to  30  on  the  lower 
limb  of  first  arch;  scales  small,  wanting  on  head;  lateral  line  present 
on  anterior  half  of  body  only ;  head  with  many  pores ;  dorsal  fin  long 
and  low;  caudal  fin  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  but  shorter 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       901 

and  coterminal  with  it ;  ventral  fins  narrow,  quite  as  long  as  the  pectorals, 
inserted  in  advance  of  pectorals;  pectoral  fins  broad,  the  posterior 
margin  round,  1.7  to  2  in  head. 

Color  brown,  irregularly  mottled  with  dark;  head  with  small 
blackish  spots,  smaller  than  on  body;  the  maxillary  with  cross-bars, 
with  black  on  lower  margin  near  angle  of  mouth,  the  lower  margin 
and  inner  surface  of  the  produced  flap  in  male  whitish;  dorsal  fin 
blackish,  with  pale  spots;  a  large  elongate  black  ocellated  spot  on 
anterior  rays  of  dorsal ;  caudal  fin  dark,  with  2  large  pale  spots  at  base 
and  smaller  ones  on  distal  parts  of  fin ;  anal  fin  black,  with  pale  brown 
base;  ventral  fins  brownish  black;  pectoral  fins  pale  brown,  with  small 
pearly  spots  at  base. 

This  species  is  represented  by  4  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
75  to  i6omm.  Our  specimens  show  that  Gnathypops  scops  Jenkins 
&  Evermann  is  the  female  of  Opisthognathus  ommata  Jenkins  & 
Evermann,  We  have  examined  the  type  specimens  of  these  nominal 
species,  and  it  seems  quite  probable  that  all  the  species  of  Gnathypops 
are  based  on  females  and  that  all  species  of  Opisthognathus  are  based 
on  males.  The  genus  Gnathypops  Gill,  therefore,  becomes  untenable. 

Previously  recorded  only  from  Guaymas.  Our  specimens  are  all 
from  Balboa,  taken  on  rocky  bottom  by  the  use  of  dynamite. 

659.  Opisthognathus  punctata  Peters. 

Opisthognathus  punctatus  Peters,  Monatsb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1869, 

708  (Mazatlan). 
Opisthognathus   punctata  Jordan,    Proc.   Ac.    Nat.    Sci.    Phila.,    1883 

(1884),  290;  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  389  (Panama). 
Opisthognathus  punctatum  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2281 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  1 80. 

This  species  is  recorded  from  Panama  by  Jordan  (1885),  the 
record  being  based  on  a  specimen  taken  by  Gilbert.  The  species  has 
not  been  seen  by  other  collectors.  We  quote  below  the  description 
from  Jordan  &  Evermann  which  the  authors  state  is  based  on  the 
original  specimen  from  Mazatlan. 

"D.  28;  A.  18.  Body  moderately  elongate;  scales  very  small,  about 
125  in  lateral  line.  Dorsal  spines  continuous  with  the  soft  rays.  No 
vomerine  teeth.  Maxillary  very  long,  extending  slightly  beyond  head. 
Head  everywhere  finely  speckled  with  black,  the  body  more  coarsely 
and  irregularly  spotted ;  pectoral  finely  and  closely  speckled,  its  edge 
plain ;  ventral  fin  dusky,  similarly  marked ;  dorsal  without  large  black 


902     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

blotch,  finely  spotted,  the  spots  behind  gradually  forming  the  boundaries 
of  white  ocelli,  the  base  of  the  fins  having  rings  of  white  around  black 
spots,  the  upper  part  with  dark  rings  around  pale  spots ;  caudal  with 
pale  spots,  its  edge,  like  that  of  the  dorsal,  somewhat  dusky,  not  black; 
anal  with  a  broad,  blackish  edge,  and  with  dark  spots,  those  near  the 
base  of  the  fin  largest;  lining  membrane  of  maxillary  with  the  usual 
bands  of  white  and  inky  black." 

Known  from  Mazatlan  and  Panama. 

Family  LXXVII.    Dactyloscopidae. 

THE  SAND  STAR-GAZERS. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  oblong,  usually  large, 
nearly  plain  above;  eyes  small,  superior,  well  forward;  suborbital 
without  a  bony  stay ;  nostrils  double ;  opercles  more  or  less  fringed ; 
mouth  nearly  vertical;  premaxillaries  protractile,  not  forming  the 
entire  edge  of  upper  jaw;  lips  fringed;  gill-openings  very  broad,  the 
membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  pseudobranchiae  present 
or  obsolete;  dorsal  fin  long,  divided  or  continuous,  the  anterior  rays 
spinous ;  ventral  fins  jugular,  I,  3.  The  fishes  of  this  family  are  small 
and  live  on  sandy  shores  of  tropical  America. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  continuous. 

b.  Dorsal  fin  beginning  on  nape,  in  advance  of  origin  of  anal; 
pseudobranchiae   well   developed.  Dactyloscopus,  p.  902. 

bb.     Dorsal  fin  beginning  behind  nape,  a  little  behind  origin  of  anal ; 

pseudobranchiae    well    developed.  Dactylagnus,  p  .904. 

aa.     Dorsal  fin  divided,  the  first  dorsal  consisting  of  4  free  spines, 

free  or  connected  by  membrane.      Cokeridia  gen.  nov.,  p.  905. 

242.  Genus  Dactyloscopus  Gill. 

Dactyloscopus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1859,  J32  (tvPe  Dacty- 
loscopus tridigitatus  Gill). 

Esloscopus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 

(1896),  465  (type  Dactyloscopus  zelotes  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  moderately  elongate ;  head  cuboid ;  eyes  small ;  mouth  nearly 

vertical;  lower  jaw  projecting,  without  barbels;  pseudobranchiae  very 

small  or  obsolete ;  origin  of  dorsal  on  nape  in  advance  of  origin  of 

anal,  the  fin  continuous.     Four  species  of  this  genus  are  recognized. 

However,  only  a  single  one  comes  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       903 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 
a.       Dorsal  rays  XII,  28;  A.  II,  32;  scales  about  45. 

tridigitatus,  p.  903. 
aa.     Dorsal  rays  VI,  38;  A.  II,  37;  scales  about  51. 

zelotes,  p.  903. 

660.  Dactyloscopus  tridigitatus  Gill. 

Dactyloscopus  tridigitatus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1859,  132 

(Barbados)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2301 ;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser., 

I9I3>  71  (Natal,  Brazil). 

Head  5  in  total  length;  depth  7;  D.  XII,  28;  A.  II,  32;  scales  45. 

Body  slender,  much  compressed  posteriorly;  opercular  fringe 
consisting  of  15  separate  filaments;  pseudobranchise  very  small;  origin 
of  dorsal  over  lower  angle  of  base  of  pectorals,  or  immediately  before 
the  margin  of  opercle,  the  distance  from  snout  5  in  total  length  of  body. 

Color  in  life  that  of  pale  sand  above,  whitish  below;  12  narrow 
cross-bands  of  whitish  on  back,  not  extending  down  far  on  sides ;  head 
mottled  above ;  fins  all  pale. 

Known  from  Key  West  and  the  West  Indies ;  recorded  from  Natal, 
Brazil,  by  Starks  (1913)  who  says,  "In  life  they  are  of  a  transparent 
flesh-color.  When  frightened  they  bury  themselves  in  the  sand."  This 
species  was  not  seen  by  us  and  is  not  recorded  from  Panama,  but  its 
range  brings  it  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

661.  Dactyloscopus  zelotes  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Dactyloscopus  zelottes  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  in  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2303  (Panama)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks, 

Memoir.  Cal  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  181. 

Head  4.5;  depth  6.6;  D.  VI,  38;  A.  II,  37;  scales  51. 

Body  slender,  compressed;  head  narrow,  cuboid,  compressed;  snout 
very  short,  about  equal  to  length  of  eye ;  eyes  small,  superior,  with 
little  lateral  range,  about  6.6  in  head ;  mouth  nearly  vertical ;  the  lower 
jaw  projecting;  the  lips  fringed;  subopercle  and  interopercle  very 
wide  and  flexible,  overlapping  throat  and  base  of  ventral  and  pectoral 
fins ;  the  opercle  posteriorly  with  a  membranous  fringe ;  teeth  present 
on  jaws  only,  in  narrow  villif orm  bands ;  lateral  line  running  near  the 
back  through  12  scales,  then  obliquely  downward  to  middle  of  side; 
origin  of  dorsal  on  the  nape,  at  a  point  from  snout  equal  to  depth  of 
body,  the  first  6  rays  of  fin  shorter  than  those  following  and  not  con- 
nected by  membrane ;  caudal  distinct,  narrow,  short ;  origin  of  anal 


904    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

under  fourth  dorsal  spine;  ventrals  inserted  under  anterior  margin 
of  preopercle;  pectorals  short,  1.25  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  light  olivaceous ;  the  edgings  of  the  scales,  some 
vermiculations  on  top  of  head,  and  the  labial  fringe  clear  brown;  fins 
translucent ;  the  caudal  with  a  brown  bar  at  base. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  It  is  known  only  from  the  type 
taken  at  Panama  City  by  Captain  J.  M.  Dow.  The  above  account  of 
the  species  is  taken  from  the  original  description  of  the  type. 

Known  only  from  Panama  City. 

243.  Genus  Dactylagnus  Gill. 

Dactylagnus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  504  (type  Dactyl- 
agnus mundus  Gill). 
Body  elongate ;  head  cuboid ;  eye  small,  directed  upward ;  mouth 

very  oblique  or  nearly  vertical ;  lower  jaw  projecting,  without  barbels ; 

pseudobranchiae  well  developed;  dorsal  fin  entire,  its  origin  a  little 

behind  origin  of  anal;  base  of  anal  fins  slightly  longer  than  the  base 

of  dorsal.     A  single  species  is  known. 

662.  Dactylagnus  mundus  Gill. 

Dactylagnus  mundus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  505  (Cape 

San  Lucas)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2304  (Carmen  Island,  Gulf  of  California). 

Head  4.75  to  5;  depth  5.6  to  7.1 ;  D.  41  to  43;  A.  40  or  41 ;  scales 
47  to  51. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  tapering  posteriorly ;  head  robust, 
nearly  as  broad  as  deep ;  snout  short,  6.3  to  6.7  in  head ;  eyes  wholly 
superior,  looking  upward,  5.9  to  7.2  in  head;  interorbital  narrow, 
concave,  8.6  to  10  in  head;  mouth  nearly  vertical,  with  labial  fringes; 
the  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting;  maxillary  truncate,  2.5  to  2.9  in 
head ;  preopercle  unarmed ;  upper  angle  of  opercle  with  fringes,  the 
lower  margin  with  a  broad  membranous  border;  teeth  pointed,  not 
uniform  in  size,  in  very  narrow  bands,  wanting  on  vomer  and  pala- 
tines; gill-rakers  undeveloped;  lateral  line  running  near  the  back 
through  13  or  14  scales,  then  abruptly  deflected  to  middle  of  side  to 
base  of  caudal;  scales  moderate,  cycloid,  wanting  on  head;  dorsal  fin 
long  and  low,  continuous,  its  origin  a  little  behind  base  of  pectorals, 
the  spines  gradually  merging  into  the  soft  rays,  the  last  rays  reaching 
base  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  very  gently  rounded,  about  as  long  as  the 
postorbital  part  of  head ;  anal  fin  long,  its  origin  a  little  in  advance 


of  v«t 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       905 

of  that  of  dorsal  and  coterminal  with  it,  the  spines  merging  into  soft 
rays;  ventral  fins  jugular,  inserted  under  or  slightly  in  advance  of 
preopercular  margin,  consisting  of  a  very  short  spine  and  3  rays, 
reaching  origin  of  anal ;  pectoral  fins  large  and  broad,  the  third  to 
sixth  rays  from  above  longest,  equal  to  or  longer  than  head,  3.9  to 
4.8  in  body. 

Color  light  brown  above,  pale  below;  upper  surface  of  head  and 
nape  with  dark  brown  spots  and  more  or  less  definite  rings ;  numerous 
small  dark  brown  spots  along  the  back  in  the  larger  examples,  the 
smallest  specimen  with  indistinct  quadrate  blotches  on  back;  dorsal 
and  caudal  with  small  dark  spots ;  the  other  fins  colorless. 

There  are  3  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  Panama  collection, 
ranging  in  length  from  56  to  112  mm.  They  were  taken  on  a  sandy 
beach  at  Taboga  Island  from  May  12  to  15,  1911.  One  of  the  large 
specimens  had  attached  to  its  abdomen  a  cluster  of  eggs  containing 
well  developed  embryos  which  encircled  the  eggs  and  had  well  devel- 
oped eyes  with  lenses.  It  is  unlikely  that  the  eggs  were  extruded 
under  accidental  pressure  when  the  fish  was  caught  in  a  minnow 
seine,  as  there  was  not  an  egg  inside  the  specimen  when  dissected  and 
the  sexual  organs  appeared  to  be  completly  collapsd.  It,  therefore,  is 
probable  that  this  fish  carries  the  eggs  externally  until  hatched, 
although  there  is  no  special  pouch  provided  for  retaining  them,  the 
eggs  being  held  together  by  gelatinous  threads. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  and  now  for  the  first  time 
recorded  from  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens  are  from  Taboga  Island. 

244.  Genus  Cokeridia  gen.  nov. 

Type  Cokeridia  crossota  sp.  nov. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  compressed ;  eyes  superior ;  mouth 
nearly  vertical ;  both  lips  with  evident  fringes ;  teeth  in  jaws  in  bands ; 
lateral  line  descending  abruptly,  the  dorsal  portion  much  shorter  than 
the  median  one ;  a  separate  dorsal  fin  at  nape,  composed  of  4  short  well 
separated  spines.  This  gen'us  bears  some  relationship  to  Gillellus,  es- 
pecially in  the  presence  of  a  separate  spinous  dorsal  fin. 

The  genus  is  named  for  Dr.  Robert  E.  Coker,  professor  of  biology 
with  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  formerly  chief  of  the  Division 
of  Scientific  Inquiry,  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Fisheries,  to  whom  we  are  indebted 
for  many  suggestions  and  for  encouragement  while  this  work  was  in  the 
course  of  preparation. 


906     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

663.  Cokeridia  crossota  sp.  nov.     (Plate  LXXXIX.) 

Type  No.  81784,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  85  mm. ;  Chame  Point,  Panama. 

Head  4.7 ;  depth  5.5  ;  D.  IV-VIII-26 ;  A.  II,  30 ;  scales  40. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  tapering  toward  the  tail;  head  rather 
deep,  compressed ;  snout  very  short,  1 1  in  head ;  eyes  small,  superior, 
8.3;  interorbital  narrow,  13;  mouth  nearly  vertical,  rather  small  maxil- 
lary broad,  3  in  head ;  lips  with  fringes,  the  median  ones  on  upper  lip  very 
short;  teeth  in  the  jaws  small,  in  bands;  upper  part  of  opercular  mar- 
gin with  fringes,  14  or  15  in  number;  origin  of  lateral  line  at  upper 
anterior  angle  of  gill-opening,  running  slightly  upward  and  backward 
anteriorly  on  9  or  10  scales,  curving  abruptly  downward  to  median 
line  of  side  under  tip  of  pectoral ;  scales  moderate,  very  thin,  cycloid ; 
origin  of  dorsal  slightly  behind  vertical  from  preopercular  margin, 
preceded  by  4  short,  separate  spines,  not  exceeding  in  length  the  diam- 
eter of  eye  and  separated  from  each  other  by  spaces  slightly  greater  than 
the  length  of  the  spines,  the  rest  of  the  fin  consisting  of  two  separate 
parts,  8  connected  inarticulated  rays  and  26  articulated  rays ;  caudal  fin 
separated  from  the  dorsal  and  anal  by  a  very  short  peduncle,  the  fin 
round ;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  the  first  2  rays  inarticulated ;  ventral 
fins  inserted  in  advance  of  base  of  pectorals,  consisting  of  3  connected 
rays ;  pectoral  fins  broad  at  base,  the  upper  and  lower  rays  short,  the 
median  ones  longest,  1.2  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  pale  brownish,  with  dark  brown  punctulations 
on  sides,  most  numerous  and  darkest  above  lateral  line;  back  of  head 
and  body  with  quadrate  dark  brown  spots,  largest  on  head  and  diminish- 
ing in  size  posteriorly,  the  last  one  a  small  dark  spot  at  base  of  upper  rays 
of  caudal ;  fins  all  pale,  the  dorsal  with  dark  spots  on  base  of  rays. 

A  single  specimen,  85  mm.  long,  was  obtained  at  Chame  Point 
and  it  represents  the  type  of  a  new  genus  and  species. 

Family  LXXVIII.    TJranoscopidae. 

THE  STAR-GAZERS. 

Body  elongate,  conic,  more  or  less  compressed,  widest  and  usu- 
ally deepest  at  occiput;  head  large,  broad,  partly  covered  with  bony 
plates ;  eyes  small,  superior,  placed  anteriorly ;  mouth  vertical ;  teeth 
moderate,  present  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  premaxillary  pro- 
tractile; maxillary  broad,  without  a  supplemental  bone;  gill-openings 
wide ;  gill-membranes  nearly  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  gills 
3^2,  a  slit  behind  the  last;  pseudobranchia?  present;  branchiostegals  6; 
scales,  if  present,  small;  spinous  dorsal  small  or  wanting,  the  soft 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       907 

dorsal  long;  caudal  fin  not  forked;  anal  fin  large;  ventral  fins  jugu- 
lar, close  together,  with  I,  5  rays ;  pectoral  fins  large,  broad,  with 
oblique  bases,  the  lower  rays  rapidly  decreasing  in  length.  Two  gen- 
era of  this  family  come  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.       Spinous  dorsal  present,  consisting  of  4  or  5  well  developed, 
pungent  spines;  scales  well  developed  in  adult. 

Astroscopus,  p.  907. 
aa.     Spinous  dorsal  obsolete ;  scales  wanting.  Kathetostoma,  p.  909. 

245.   Genus  Astroscopus  Brevoort. 

Astroscopus  Brevoort,  in  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.   Sci.  Phila.,    1860,  20 

(type  Uranoscopus  anoplos  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Agnus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  II,   1860,  229   (type   Urano- 
scopus ano  plots  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Upselonphorus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  113  (type  Urano- 
scopus y-grcecum  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Body  robust;  upper  surface  of  head  not  entirely  covered  with 
bone,  the  occipital  plate  ceasing  far  behind  eyes;  a  bony  Y-shaped 
process  on  head,  the  forks  of  the  Y  reaching  forward  to  interorbital, 
the  vertical  limb  extending  backward  to  occipital  plate;  the  area  be- 
tween the  forks  of  the  Y  and  extending  forward  to  upper  lip  covered 
by  naked  skin ;  a  somewhat  triangular  naked  area  present  on  each  side  of 
the  Y  serving  as  a  covering  for  the  electric  organs ;  head  without  spines 
in  the  adult;  young  individuals  with  the  head  largely  covered  with 
bone  and  with  spines ;  anterior  nostril  round,  situated  in  front  of  eye, 
fringed;  posterior  nostril  represented  externally  as  a  crescent-shaped 
groove,  terminating  behind  eye,  fringed;  lips  fringed;  back  and  sides 
covered  with  close-set  scales  in  adult ;  first  dorsal  with  4  or  5  short 
pungent  spines,  connected  with  the  long  soft  dorsal  by  membrane. 

664.  Astroscopus  zephyreus  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Astroscopus  zephyreus  Gilbert  &  Starks,  in  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.,  1896,  453,  PI.  LIII,  fig.  2  &  PI.  LIV  (Magdalena  Bay,  L.  C.)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XL VII,  1898,  2309. 

Head  2.86;  depth  4;  D.  V,  14;  A.  12;  scales  about  89. 

Body  robust,  subcylmdrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly; 
head  large,  depressed,  broader  than  deep;  snout  short,  5.3  in  head; 
eyes  small,  superior,  12 ;  interorbital  broad,  3.35 ;  mouth  large,  verti- 
cal, the  lower  jaw  much  in  advance  of  the  upper;  the  lips  with  fringes, 


908     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

some  of  them  longer  than  eye;  maxillary  very  broad,  2.25  in  head; 
anterior  nostril  round,  fringed,  the  posterior  nostril  long,  crescent- 
shaped,  curved  abruptly  forward  posteriorly;  the  forked  portion  of 
the  Y  on  the  head  shorter  than  the  vertical  limb ;  a  large  naked  area 
between  the  forks,  and  larger  naked  triangular  areas  over  the  elec- 
tric organs  situated  behind  the  elongate  posterior  nostrils  and  along 
sides  of  the  Y ;  head  entirely  scaleless,  but  with  coarsely  rugose  areas ; 
belly  naked  below  a  line  drawn  from  the  origin  of  the  anal  to  middle 
of  base  of  pectoral;  the  median  line  of  belly  with  a  prominent  mem- 
branous fold;  the  rest  of  body  with  small  and  nearly  square  scales, 
grown  together  and  forming  oblique  plates,  running  downward  and 
backward;  fins  all  naked;  dorsal  fins  separate;  origin  of  first  dorsal 
somewhat  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  end  of  base  of  dorsal,  the  soft  fin 
much  higher  than  the  spines ;  caudal  fin  broadly  rounded ;  anal  fin 
similar  to  the  soft  dorsal  but  scarcely  as  high;  ventral  fins  inserted 
in  advance  of  pectorals,  nearly  at  symphysis  of  the  isthmus,  reaching 
nearly  to  end  of  base  of  pectorals,  the  inner  rays  much  the  longest; 
pectoral  fins  with  broad  bases,  the  lower  rays  short,  graduated,  the 
Upper  rays  longest,  reaching  a  little  beyond  origin  of  soft  dorsal. 

Color  brownish  above,  paler  below;  upper  parts  with  many  small 
white  spots,  edged  with  dark  brown ;  spinous  dorsal  black ;  soft  dorsal 
pale  brownish  at  base  anteriorly,  with  alternating  black  and  pale  brown 
vertical  bands ;  caudal  fin  with  alternating  brownish  and  black  longi- 
tudinal bars ;  anal  and  pectorals  nearly  uniform  dark  brown ;  ventral 
fins  pale,  with  few  dusky  punctulations  and  an  elongate  black  spot  on 
the  membrane  between  the  first  and  second  inner  rays  near  the  tip  of 
fins. 

Two  specimens  of  this  species,  36  and  300  mm.  in  length,  are  at 
hand.  The  above  description  is  based  on  the  large  specimen,  from 
which  the  smaller  specimen  differs  so  greatly  that  it  appears  advis- 
able to  mention  the  differences  which  quite  certainly  are  due  only  to 
age.  We  would  have  been  unable  to  identify  the  small  specimen  with 
the  larger  one  with  any  degree  of  certainty,  had  we  not  had  the  op- 
portunity of  examining  a  large  series,  including  various  sizes,  of  the 
more  common  form,  A.  y-gracum,  of  the  Atlantic  coast  of  our  south- 
ern states,  which  undergoes  similar  changes  with  age.  The  small 
specimen  is  proportionately  much  more  robust  than  the  large  one, 
the  depth  being  contained  2.7  in  the  length;  the  eyes  are  proportion- 
ately very  much  larger,  5.5  in  head;  the  Y  on  the  head  is  undevel- 
oped; the  naked  areas  where  the  electric  organs  are  situated  are  not 
present ;  a  high  bony  ridge  lies  near  the  eye  and  the  elongate  posterior 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       909 

nostril  is  situated  between  this  bony  ridge  and  the  orbit,  running  very 
close  to  the  orbit  posteriorly,  whereas  in  the  adult  it  is  somewhat 
distant  from  the  orbit  posteriorly;  there  are  2  blunt  spines  at  occiput 
and  one  on  each  shoulder  at  upper  angle  of  gill-opening;  an  evident 
pore  is  present  at  the  base  of  each  spine  on  occiput;  scales  apparently 
are  entirely  wanting.  The  color  is  uniform  blackish  above,  the  belly 
and  lower  parts  of  head  pale ;  the  spinous  dorsal  is  black,  and  the  other 
fins  are  colorless. 

Known  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico;  apparently  rather  rare. 
Previously  not  recorded  from  Panama.  The  specimens  at  hand  were 
taken  at  Chame  Point  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie. 

246.  Genus  Kathetostoma  Giinther. 

Kathetostoma  Giinther,   Cat.  Fish.  Brit.   Mus.,   II,   1860,   231    (type 

Uranoscopus  lazvis  Bloch  &  Schneider). 

Body,  robust,  formed  as  in  Astroscopus  and  Uranoscopus;  some 
of  the  bones  of  head  armed;  gill-cavity  without  superior  opening; 
scales  wanting;  pseudobranchise  present;  branchiostegals  6;  air  bladder 
wanting;  dorsal  fin  continuous,  without  spines;  ventrals  jugular,  not 
adnate  to  abdomen;  pectoral  rays  branched.  A  single  species  is  known 
from  Panama  waters. 

665.  Kathetostoma  averruncus  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Kathetostoma  averruncus  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1889,  163  (Albatross  Station  2800,  Panama  Bay,  7  fathoms)  ;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2311;  Gilbert 

&  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  181. 

Head  2.66;  depth  3.75;  D.  13;  A.  13. 

Body  short  and  robust,  its  width  behind  base  of  pectorals  equal 
to  length  of  top  of  head;  head  very  large;  snout  1.4  in  eye;  eye  rather 
small,  5  in  head;  mouth  large,  vertical;  maxillary  2  in  head;  teeth 
of  lower  jaw  largest,  inner  row  of  each  jaw  enlarged  and  movable; 
vomer  and  palatines  with  a  few  large,  conical  teeth;  lower  jaw  with- 
out tentacle;  preorbital  with  3  spines  in  front,  directed  forward  and 
downward;  preopercle  with  3  spines  below  angle,  directed  forward 
and  downward;  mandible  with  2  antrose  spines  and  two  spines  on 
chest  before  ventrals ;  top  of  head  coarsely  granular ;  occipital  region 
with  radiating  ridges,  starting  from  2  points;  base  of  dorsal  and 
anal  of  equal  length,  1.4  in  head;  ventral  fins  reaching  more  than  half 
way  to  vent,  equal  to  length  of  top  of  head ;  pectorals  half  the  diam- 
eter of  the  eye  longer  than  the  ventrals. 


QIO     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Color  blackish  brown,  mottled  with  paler;  lower  parts  pale,  dusted 
with  brown;  lips  and  gular  region  black;  dorsal  dusky,  with  5  indis- 
tinct, partly  confluent,  whitish  spots  along  the  base ;  caudal  with  3 
irregular  dark  bars;  anal  anteriorly  pale,  posteriorly  thickly  dusted 
with  blackish,  the  tips  of  rays  pale ;  ventrals  pale ;  pectorals  blackish, 
faintly  barred,  the  axil  dusted  outside,  inner  parts  very  pale. 

Known  only  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama  from  a  single  speci- 
men, 120  mm.  long,  dredged  at  a  depth  of  7  fathoms,  by  the  "Alba- 
tross." Not  seen  by  us. 

i 

Family  LXXIV.   Batrachoididae. 

THE  TOAD-FISHES. 

Body  depressed  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  large,  de- 
pressed ;  mouth  large ;  teeth  usually  strong ;  premaxillaries  protractile ; 
gills  3,  a  slit  between  the  last;  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  side,  the 
membranes  broadly  united  to  the  isthmus ;  pseudobranchiae  none ; 
branchiostegals  usually  6;  gill->rakers  present,  moderate;  suborbital 
without  a  bony  stay ;  post -temporal  bone  simple,  undivided ;  scales 
small  or  wanting ;  dorsal  fins  2,  the  first  with  2  or  3  low,  strong  spines ; 
soft  dorsal  long  and  low;  anal  similar,  but  shorter;  pectorals  broad, 
at  least  at  base;  caudal  fin  rounded;  vertebrae  32  to  45. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Dorsal  spines  3 ;  opercle  with  2  strong  diverging  spines ;  sub- 
opercle  with  one  or  two  stiff  spines. 

b.  Body  covered  with  small  striated  scales ;  subopercular  spines 
2,  strong  and  diverging,  similar  to  opercular  spines. 

Batrachoides,  p.  911. 
bb.     Body  scaleless ;  subopercle  with  only  one  strong  spine. 

c.  Axil  of  pectoral  with  a  prominent  foramen. 

Opsanus,  p.  917. 

cc.  Axil  of  pectoral  without  a  foramen,  but  with  numerous  glan- 
dular folds.  Amphichthys ,  p.  918. 

aa.  Dorsal  spines  2 ;  opercle  with  a  single  strong  spine ;  subopercle 
feebly  developed,  without  a  spine;  body  scaleless. 

d.  Opercular  and  dorsal  spines  hollow,  connected  at  base  with 
venom  glands ;  lateral  line  single ;  no  canine  teeth. 

Thalassophryne,  p.  919. 

dd.  Opercular  and  dorsal  spines  solid,  not  connected  with  venom 
glands;  lateral  lines  4;  some  of  the  teeth  canine-like. 

Porichthys,  p.  922. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       911 

247.  Genus  Batrachoides  Lacepede. 

Batrachoides  Lacepede,   Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,   II,    1800,  451    (type  Ba- 
trachoides tau  Lacepede). 
Batrachus  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  42  (type  Batrachus 

surinamensis  Bloch  &  Schneider). 

Batrichtius  Rafinesque,  Analyse   Nat.,  etc.,    1815,   82    (substitute   for 
Batrachoides). 

Body  subcylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly ;  head  broad, 
strongly  depressed ;  pores  about  mouth  and  in  lateral  line  accompanied 
by  dermal  flaps  and  fringes ;  dorsal  spines  3 ;  opercle  and  subopercle 
each  with  2  solid  diverging  spines ;  no  poison  glands ;  body  covered  with 
small  striated  scales,  more  or  less  embedded,  at  least  anteriorly. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  with  111-24  to  26  rays;  anal  with  21  to  23  rays. 

b.  A, conspicuous  glandular  pocket  in  axil  of  pectoral;  vomerine, 
palatine  and  lateral  mandibular  teeth  very  strong  and  blunt; 
vomerine  teeth  in  a  single  row.  pacifici,  p.  912. 

bb.  Axil  of  pectoral  without  a  glandular  pocket;  vomerine,  pala- 
tine and  lateral  mandibular  teeth  moderate,  or  rather  small  and 
pointed. 

c.  Eye  rather  large,  2.1   in  interorbital  space  in  specimens  265 
mm.  in  length;  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting,  exposing  the 
teeth  near  mandibular  symphysis  when  the  mouth  is  closed; 
vomerine  teeth  in  2  rows;  outer  teeth  at  mandibular  symphysis 
enlarged;  a  distinct  pore 'at  base  of  each  interradial  membrane 
of  pectoral  on  inner  side  of  fin,  these  continued  on  fin  as  canals. 

goldmani,  p.  913. 

cc.  Eye  small,  3  in  interorbital  space  in  specimens  265  mm.  in 
length;  lower  jaw  only  slightly  projecting,  none  of  the  teeth 
exposed  when  the  mouth  is  closed;  vomerine  teeth  in  a  single 
row ;  outer  teeth  at  mandibular  symphysis  not  enlarged ;  a  small 
pore  at  base  of  only  the  upper  interradial  membranes  of  pectoral 
on  inside  of  fin,  these  not  extended  on  fin  as  canals. 

gilberti  sp.  nov.,  p.  914. 
aa.     Dorsal  with  111-28  or  29  rays ;  anal  with  25  or  26  rays. 

d.  Pores  present  at  base  only  of  the  upper  interradial  membranes 
of  pectoral  on  inner  side  of  fin;  scales  extending  forward  to 
a   line  connecting  posterior   end   of   maxillaries;   cirri   about 
mouth  numerous ;  upper  lateral  line  interrupted  slightly  behind 
middle  of  base  of  dorsal,  reappearing  on  extreme  base  of  this  fin, 


912     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

there  forming  n  or  12  pores;  fins  with  dark  and  whitish  bars 
and  streaks.  snrinamensis,p.gi$. 

dd.  A  conspicuous  pore  present  at  base  of  each  interradial  mem- 
brane of  pectoral  on  inner  side  of  fin;  scales  extending  for- 
ward to  a  line  connecting  the  base  of  upper  opercular  spines ; 
cirri  about  mouth  rather  few;  upper  lateral  line  interrupted  at 
beginning  of  posterior  third  of  base  of  dorsal,  reappearing  on 
the  extreme  base  of  this  fin,  there  forming  7  or  8  pores;  fins 
plain,  of  the  same  color  as  the  body.  boulengeri,  p.  916. 

666.  Batrachoides  pacifici  (Giinther). 

Batrachus   pacifici   Giinther,    Cat.    Fish.    Brit.    Mus.,    Ill,    1861,    173 

(Panama). 

Batrachoides  pacifici  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  170;  Jor- 
dan &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2314;  Gil- 
bert &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  181  (Panama)  ; 
Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  159; 
Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  412  (Panama). 
Head  2.7  to  3;  depth  4.8  to  6.6;  D.  III-2S  or  26;  A.  21  or  22. 
Body  elongate;  head  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1.06  to  1.2  in 
its  length;  snout  very  broad,  3.9  to  5  in  head ;  eye  larger  than  in  related 
species,  1.7  to  2.4  in  interorbital  space,  4.3  to  8  in  head;  lower  jaw 
projecting;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  eye,  1.35  to  1.75 
in  head ;  opercle  and  subopercle  each  with  2  strong,  diverging  spines ; 
premaxillary  teeth  in  a  narrow  villiform  band  tapering  laterally  to  a 
point ;  strong  conical  canine-like  teeth  on  vomer,  palatine  and  laterally 
on  mandible,  those  near  mandibular  symphysis  in  a  broad  cardiform 
patch,  with  the  outer  ones  enlarged ;  head  and  chest  naked,  the  rest 
of  the  body  covered  with  small,  partly  embedded,  cycloid  scales;  lat- 
eral lines  2 ;  the  upper  one  on  a  level  with  the  upper  opercular  spine,  in- 
terrupted slightly  anterior  to  middle  of  base  of  dorsal,  reappearing 
along  the  base  of  the  dorsal,  again  interrupted  near  the  .last  rays  of 
the  fin,  then  assuming  its  former  level  on  the  caudal  peduncle;  the 
lower  lateral  line  curving  upward  around  the  base  of  pectorals,  inter- 
rupted at  about  the  beginning  of  the  second  third  of  the  base  of  the 
anal,  and  again  posteriorly,  similar  to  the  upper  one;  the  interrup- 
tion of  these  lateral  lines  not  always  very  evident,  sometimes  with  in- 
termediate pore,  then  being  curved  rather  than  interrupted;  alimentary 
canal  much  shorter  than  body;  air  bladder  short  and  broad,  divided 
into  2  compartments  by  a  longitudinal  partition;  dorsal  fins  separate, 
the  first  with  3  strong  spines ;  the  spines  flattened,  with  a  cutting  edge ; 


<n  fj 

LU 

9.S 

o  - 

ql 


H    1= 
<    S 

CD    a 


'HI 


VIS 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       913 

pectorals  broad,  with  a  conspicuous,  glandular  pocket  in  axil,  interradial 
membranes  each  with  a  conspicuous  pore  at  the  base  on  inner  side  of 
fin,  these  pores  continued  on  fin  as  canals. 

Color  of  adult  examples  nearly  uniform  dark  brown  above,  paler 
below;  the  young  with  evident  dark  cross-bars;  fins  with  more  or  less 
distinct  whitish  bars  and  margins  of  the  same  color. 

This  species  is  represented  by  32  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  28  to  340  mm.  None  of  our  examples  retains  the  sucking  disk 
which  the  young  are  said  to  have. 

Known  from  Panama  to  Ecuador.  Our  specimens  are  from  Chame 
Point;  Balboa;  tide  pools,  Panama;  and  the  Panama  City  market; 
mostly  taken  on  rocky  bottom ;  common  in  tide  pools. 

667.  Batrachoides  goldmani  Evermann  &  Goldsborough. 
Batrachoides  goldmani  Evermann  &  Goldsborough,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish 

Comm;,  XXI,  1901  (1902),  159,  fig.  8  (Tabasco,  Mexico). 

Head  2.8;  depth  5.75;  D.  111-24;  A.  21. 

Body  elongate;  head  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1.3  in  its  length; 
snout  rather  broad,  4.5  in  head;  eye  rather  large,  2.1  in  interorbital 
space,  6.4  in  head;  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting,  outer  mandibular 
teeth  exposed  when  mouth  is  closed ;  mouth  large ;  the  maxillary  reach- 
ing past  eye,  1.65  in  head;  opercle  and  subopercle  each  with  2  di- 
verging spines;  teeth  slender  and  more  sharply  pointed  than  in  re- 
lated species;  premaxillary  teeth  in  a  rather  broad  villiform  band; 
vomerine  teeth  in  2  irregular  rows,  those  on  inner  row  the  larger; 
palatine  and  lateral  mandibular  teeth  in  a  single  row  and  irregular 
in  size;  a  broad  patch  of  cardiform  teeth,  the  outer  ones  near  man- 
dibular symphysis  enlarged;  head  and  chest  naked,  the  rest  of  the 
body  covered  with  small,  striated  scales,  embedded  anteriorly  only; 
lateral  lines  2,  indistinct,  only  the  anterior  pores  accompanied  by  cirri, 
their  position  as  in  B.  pacifici;  the  upper  line  interrupted  near  the  be- 
ginning of  the  posterior  third  of  base  of  dorsal,  and  the  lower  oppo- 
site the  posterior  third  of  anal,  reappearing,  respectively,  on  the  ex- 
treme base  of  the  dorsal  and  anal,  there  forming  only  a  few  pores, 
then  each  reassuming  its  former  level  on  caudal  peduncle;  dorsal  fins 
separate,  the  first  with  3  stiff  spines,  the  spines  not  notably  flattened 
and  without  a  cutting  edge ;  pectorals  broad,  without  a  glandular  pocket 
in  axil,  each  interradial  membrane  with  a  conspicuous  pore  at  its  base 
on  inner  side  of  fin,  these  pores  continued  on  the  fin  as  canals. 

Color  grayish,  with  irregular  dark  cross-bars,  besides  other  irreg- 
ular dark  spots  and  blotches;  pectorals  with  alternating  brownish 


914     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

and  whitish  bars;  dorsal  and  anal  with  indistinct  oblique  streaks  of 
the  same  color;  caudal  almost  uniformly  brown,  with  a  black  bar  at 
base. 

The  above  description  is  based  on  the  type,  a  specimen  265  mm. 
in  length,  from  Rio  Usumachinta,  Tabasco,  Mexico,  taken  by  Nelson 
and  Goldman.  In  the  original  description  the  number  of  anal  rays 
is  given  as  18.  This  is  an  evident  error,  as  we  are  able  to  count  21. 
The  eye  is  given  as  9  in  head,  but  we  find  that  it  is  contained  only  6.4  in 
head. 

668.  Batrachoides  gilbert!  sp.  nov.     (Plate  XC.) 

Type  No.  81002,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  270  mm. ;  creek  opposite  Mindi 
Cut,  Canal  Zone. 

Head  2.75  to  2.95;  depth  3.8  to  5.2;  D.  111-25  or  26;  A.  22  or  23. 

Body  elongate;  head  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1.15  to  1.45  in 
its  length;  snout  short  and  broad,  4.1  to  4.85  in  head;  eye  rather 
small,  1.9  to  3.1  in  interorbital  space,  7.3  to  10  in  head;  lower  jaw  pro- 
jecting only  slightly,  none  of  the  mandibular  teeth  exposed  when 
mouth  is  closed ;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  much  beyond 
eye,  1 .6  to  1 .9  in  head ;  opercle  and  subopercle  each  with  2  strong  di- 
verging spines;  teeth  as  in  B.  pacifici,  only  the  conical  canines  being 
much  smaller,  and  the  outer  teeth  of  the  patch  near  mandibular  sym- 
physis  not  enlarged ;  head  and  chest  naked,  the  rest  of  the  body  cov- 
ered with  small,  partly  embedded,  striated  scales ;  lateral  lines  2, 
broken  up  into  separate  pores,  not  forming  continuous  lines;  the  up- 
per one  on  a  level  with  upper  opercular  spine,  interrupted  notably  in 
advance  of  middle  of  base  of  dorsal,  then  running  along  the  extreme 
base  of  this  fin  to  near  the  last  ray,  then  reassuming  its  former  level 
on  caudal  peduncle;  the  lower  line  curved  upward  back  of  base  of 
pectoral  and  interrupted  near  the  beginning  of  the  second  third  of 
the  base  of  anal,  thence  running  along  the  base  of  this  fin  to  near  the 
last  rays,  then  reassuming  its  former  level;  alimentary  canal  much 
shorter  than  body;  stomach  with  heavy  muscular  walls;  air  bladder 
short  and  broad,  divided  into  2  compartments  by  a  longitudinal  par- 
tition ;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  with  3  strong  spines,  the  spines  not 
notably  flattened  and  without  a  cutting  edge ;  pectoral  broad,  without  an 
evident  glandular  pocket  in  the  axil,  only  the  upper  half  of  interradial 
membranes  with  pores  at  their  bases  on  inner  side  of  fin,  these  pores 
not  extended  on  fin  as  canals. 

Color  of  large  examples  nearly  uniform  brown  above,  paler  be- 
low; young  with  dark  cross-bars;  pectoral  and  caudal  with  more  or 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       915 

less  distinct,  alternating  bars  of  black  and  white ;  dorsal  and  anal  with 
oblique  streaks  of  the  same  color. 

Only  6  specimens  of  this  species,  ranging  from  140  to  270  mm. 
in  length,  were  secured.  These  were  all  taken  on  the  same  date  at 
the  mouth  of  a  small  brackish  stream  flowing  into  the  French  Canal, 
near  Mindi  Cut. 

669.  Batrachoides  surinamensis  (Bloch  &  Schneider). 
Batrachoides  tau  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  II,  1800,  451  (not  Gadus 

tau  Linnaeus). 

Batrachus  surinamensis  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  43  (Suri- 
nam). 
Batrachoides  surinamensis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2314  (in  part)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 

Sci.,  IV,  1904,  183;  Starks,  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ. 

Ser.,  1913,  71 ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136  (Colon). 

Head  3  to  3.2 ;  depth  5.5  to  5.85 ;  D.  111-28  or  29 ;  A.  25  or  26. 

Body  elongate;  head  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1.18  to  1.3  in 
its  length;  snout  very  broad,  4.1  to  5  in  head;  eye  small,  2.6  to  4 
in  interorbital  space,  6.6  to  10  in  head;  lower  jaw  projecting;  mouth 
large,  the  maxillary  reaching  much  beyond  eye,  1.6  to  1.9  in  head; 
opercle  and  subopercle  each  with  2  strong  diverging  spines ;  teeth  as 
in  B.  pad  fid,  but  having  the  conical  canines  smaller;  one  specimen  at 
hand  has  the  vomerine  teeth  partly  in  a  double  series;  anterior  por- 
tion of  head  from  vertical  of  posterior  end  of  maxillary  naked,  in 
the  large  specimen  at  hand  the  chest  also  naked,  rest  of  body  cov- 
ered with  small  striated  scales,  embedded  on  anterior  portion  of  body 
only;  lateral  lines  2,  forming  continuous  lines  anteriorly,  not  broken 
up  into  separate  pores;  the  upper  one  slightly  above  the  level  of  the 
upper  opercular  spine,  and  interrupted  slightly  behind  the  middle  of 
base  of  dorsal,  reappearing  on  the  extreme  base  of  dorsal,  there  form- 
ing ii  or  12  pores,  again  interrupted  near  the  last  rays  of  the  dorsal, 
then  assuming  its  former  level  on  caudal  peduncle ;  the  lower  line 
curved  upward  back  of  base  of  pectorals,  interrupted  (in  one  speci- 
men it  curves  downward)  slightly  anterior  to  middle  of  base  of  anal, 
then  running  along  the  base  of  this  fin  to  opposite  the  last  rays,  then 
reassuming  its  former  level;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  anterior  with  3 
stiff  spines,  the  spines  not  notably  flattened  and  without  a  cutting  edge ; 
pectoral  broad,  with  an  evident  glandular  pocket  in  the  axil,  only  the 
interradial  membranes  of  upper  half  of  fin  with  evident  pores  at  the 
base  of  rays  on  inner  side  of  fin. 


916     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  mostly  plain  brown  in  spirits ;  pectorals  and  caudal  with  more 
or  less  distinct  alternating  whitish  and  dark  cross-bars ;  dorsal  and  anal 
with  oblique  streaks  or  bars  of  the  same  color. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  2  speci- 
mens, respectively  155  and  340  mm.  in  length.  The  largest  one,  U. 
S.  N.  M.  No.  9368,  is  from  Rio  Truando,  Colombia,  and  the  smaller 
one,  U.  S.  N.  M.  No.  26646,  from  Curuca,  Brazil. 

Known  from  Colon  southward  to  Brazil. 

670.  Batrachoides  boulengeri  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Batrachus  surinamensis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  174 

(in  part)  ;  Giinther,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  VI,  1869,  388  (not 

of  Bloch  &  Schneider). 

Batrachoides  surinamensis  Jordan  &Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2314  (in  part). 
Batrachoides  boulengeri  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  182  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  2.9  to  3.2;  depth  4.7  to  6;  D.  111-28  or  29;  A.  25  or  26. 

Body  elongate ;  head  very  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1 .03  to  i .  I 
in  its  length ;  snout  very  broad,  4.2  to  4.9  in  head ;  eye  small,  4.2  to 
5.4  in  interorbital  space,  10  to  14.5  in  head;  lower  jaw  projecting; 
mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  much  beyond  eye,  1.47  to  1.65  in 
head ;  opercle  and  subopercle  each  with  2  strong,  diverging  spines ; 
teeth  as  in  B.  pad  fid,  the  conical  canines  scarcely  as  large  and  strong; 
head  and  chest  naked,  the  rest  of  the  body  covered  with  small,  partly 
embedded,  striated  scales;  lateral  lines  2,  their  position  as  in  B.  pa- 
cifici; the  upper  line  interrupted  at  the  beginning  of  the  posterior 
third  of  base  of  dorsal,  then  running  along  the  base  of  the  dorsal  for 
a  very  short  distance,  forming  only  7  or  8  pores,  then  reappearing  at 
its  former  level  on  caudal  peduncle;  the  lower  line  interrupted  slightly 
in  advance  of  the  middle  of  the  base  of  anal,  and  again  posteriorly 
similar  to  the  upper  one;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  with  3  strong 
spines,  all  somewhat  flattened,  with  a  cutting  edge ;  pectoral  broad, 
without  an  evident  glandular  pocket  in  axil,  each  interradial  mem- 
brane with  a  pore  at  its  base  on  inner  side  of  fin,  these  pores  extend- 
ing as  canals  on  the  fin. 

Color  dark  brown  above,  with  indistinct  dark  cross-bars ;  paler  be- 
low ;  fins  all  of  the  same  color  as  the  body. 

Th;s  species  is  represented  by  4  specimens  in  the  present  collection, 
ranging  from  355  to  400  mm.  in  length. 


& 


<  o 

c/>  C 

Q.  — 

O  C 


. 

Ml 


yfl 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDBERAND.       917 

This  fish  when  captured  fights  vigorously,  not  only  using  its 
sharp  dorsal,  opercular,  and  subopercular  spines,  but  snapping  at  any- 
thing coming  near  it.  When  the  writers  found  it  almost  impossible 
to  pick  this  fish  up  with  the  hand,  its  habit  of  snapping  was  taken  ad- 
vantage of  by  giving  it  a  stick  to  catch  with  its  teeth,  which  it  held 
so  tightly  that  it  in  this  way  could  be  very  easily  transferred  to  the 
collecting  can. 

With  the  material  at  hand  it  is  difficult  to  find  characters  upon 
which  to  separate  this  species  from  the  Atlantic  representative,  B. 
surinamensis.  Only  a  few  minor  differences  were  noted,  and  these 
may  prove  to  be  only  individual  variations  when  a  larger  series  can 
be  compared.  More  specimens  from  each  coast  are  much  desired. 

Known  only  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens 
are  from  tide  streams  at  Corozal  and  from  the  Panama  City  market. 

248.  Genus  Opsanus  Rafinesque. 

Opsanus  Rafinesque,  Amer.  Monthly  Mag.,  II,  1818,  203  (type  Opsanus 

cerapalus  Rafinesque  =  Gadus  tau  Linnaeus). 

Body  subcylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly ;  head  broad, 
strongly  depressed ;  dorsal  spines  3 ;  opercle  with  2  diverging  spines, 
subopercle  with  one  strong  spine  only,  these  spines  hidden  in  the  skin ; 
no  poison  glands;  body  naked;  axil  of  pectoral  with  a  conspicuous 
foramen. 

671.  Opsanus  barbatus  sp.  nov.*   (Plate  XCI). 

Type  No.  81009,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  390  mm. ;  Colon  Reef. 

Head  3.25;  depth  4.1 ;  D.  111-32;  A.  27. 

Body  robust  anteriorly,  subcylindrical,  strongly  compressed  pos- 
teriorly ;  head  much  depressed,  its  width  nearly  as  great  as  its  length ; 
eye  moderate,  1.35  in  interorbital  space,  5.5  in  head;  a  small  cirrus 
on  its  inner  posterior  margin;  snout  rather  narrow,  tapering,  4.7  in 
head;  lower  jaw  projecting;  a  row  of  long  fringed  dermal  flaps  on 
margin  of  chin,  another  prominent  row  beginning  below  eye  and  ex- 
tending to  subopercular  spine,  besides  numerous  smaller  cirri  on  head 
and  predorsal  region;  mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  reaching  pos- 
terior margin  of  eye,  1.85  in  head;  opercle  with  2  strong  diverging 
spines,  subopercle  with  one  spine,  these  spines  hidden  in  the  skin; 
premaxillary  teeth  small,  in  2  irregular  rows ;  small  conical  canine  teeth 

*Since  this  description  was  written,  C.  M.  Breder,  Jr.,  (Amer.  Mus.  Novit,  No. 
188,  1925,  pp.  i  and  2,  fig.  i)  has  described  another  new  species,  Opsanus  hilde- 
brandi,  which  was  obtained  in  the  Colon  market. 


918     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

present  on  vomer,  palatine  and  mandible,  those  on  vomer  and  near 
mandibular  symphysis  in  2  rows ;  body  naked ;  lateral  lines  2,  con- 
tinuous, each  pore  accompanied  by  cirri;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first 
composed  of  3  strong  spines,  hidden  in  the  skin,  the  second  long  and 
low,  the  rays  much  enveloped  in  the  loose  skin  of  the  body  and  diffi- 
cult to  enumerate;  anal  long  and  very  low,  the  anterior  rays  mostly 
separate;  pectorals  short  and  broad,  a  prominent  foramen  in  axil;  no 
pores  at  base  of  interradial  membranes. 

Color  uniform  brown  above,  paler  below ;  base  of  caudal  with  one 
black  ocellus  on  one  side  and  3  on  the  other,  fins  otherwise  of  uni- 
form coloration  like  the  body. 

Our  only  specimen,  390  mm.  long,  was  taken  on  the  Colon  Reef. 
It  differs  from  O.  tau  chiefly  in  the  longer  and  much  lower  vertical 
fins,  smaller  teeth,  the  more  numerous  and  much  longer  cirri  on  head 
and  predorsal  region,  and  in  the  uniform  coloration. 

249.  Genus  Amphichthys  Swainson. 

Amphichthys  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,282  (type 

Batrachus  rubigenes  Swainson). 
Marc gravia  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  546  (type  Batrachus 

cryptocentrus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Marcgravicthys  Ribeiro,  Arch.  Mus.  Nac.  Rio  de  Janeiro,  XVII,  1915,  3 

(type  Batrachus  cryptocentrus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Body  subcylindrical  anteriorly,  compressed  posteriorly;  head  broad, 
strongly  depressed;  dorsal  spines  3;  opercle  with  2  diverging  spines, 
subopercle  with  one  spine  only,  these  spines  hidden  in  the  skin;  no 
poison  glands;  body  naked;  axil  of  pectoral  without  a  foramen,  but 
with  numerous  glandular  folds  of  skin. 

672.  Amphichthys  cryptocentrus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Batrachus  cryptocentrus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII, 

1837,485  (Bahia,  Brazil). 
Batrachus  tau  cryptocentrus  Meek  &  Hall,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila., 

1885,  60. 
Marcgravia  cryptocentra  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  546. 

Head  2.85  to  3.15 ;  depth  4.1  to  5.3 ;  D.  111-28  or  29;  A.  24  or  25. 

Body  elongate;  head  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1.04  to  1.15  in  its 
length;  snout  rather  narrow,  4.8  to  5.3  in  head;  eye  large,  its  longest 
diameter  about  equal  to  interorbital  width,  4.6  to  5.5  in  head ;  a  promi- 
nent cirrus  on  its  inner  posterior  margin ;  lower  jaw  projecting ;  mouth 
moderate;  the  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.8  to  1.95 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       919 

in  head;  opercle  with  2  strong  diverging  spines;  stibopercle  with  one 
spine;  premaxillary  teeth  in  a  very  narrow  villiform  band,  reduced 
to  a  single  row  laterally;  vomerine,  palatine  and  mandibular  teeth 
strong  and  very  blunt,  an  outer  row  of  smaller  teeth  near  mandibular 
symphysis;  body  naked;  lateral  lines  2,  continued  to  opposite  the  last 
ray  of  dorsal  and  anal  respectively,  each  pore  accompanied  by  2  dermal 
flaps;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  with  3  spines,  partly  hidden  in  the 
skin;  pectorals  broad,  axil  covered  with  numerous  glandular  folds,  but 
without  a  foramen. 

Color  dark  brown  above,  paler  below ;  young  with  evident  dark  cross- 
bars; chin  and  chest  often  indistinctly  reticulated  with  whitish  lines; 
each  pore  in  lower  lateral  line  in  a  white  spot;  fins  plain,  with  narrow 
white  margins. 

Of  this  species  5  specimens,  ranging  from  180  to  320  mm.  in  length, 
were  secured. 

Heretofore  known  only  from  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from 
the  Colon  market,  Colon  Reef  and  Fox  Bay,  Colon;  mostly  taken  on 
rocky  bottom. 

250.  Genus  Thalassophryne  Giinther. 
Thalassophryne  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  174  (type 

Thalassophryne  maculosa  Giinther). 
Doctor  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2325 

(type  Thalassophryne  dowi  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  elongate;  head  depressed;  lower  jaw  projecting;  opercle  with  a 
strong  hollow  spine ;  subopercle  feebly  developed,  not  ending  in  a  spine ; 
teeth  conic  or  incisor-like,  no  canines ;  body  without  scales ;  lateral  line 
single;  dorsal  spines  2,  hollow,  and  like  the  opercular  spines,  connected 
with  venom  glands ;  pectorals  broad,  without  foramen  in  axil. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  and  anal  long,  each  with  25  rays  or  more;  teeth  conic, 
or  slightly  flattened  at  tips. 

b.  Head  much  wider  than  deep,  its  length  2.8  to  3.2  in  body ;  dorsal 
and  anal  free  from  caudal,  the  former  with  11-26  to  28  rays,  the 
latter  with  25  or  26  rays ;  body  and  fins  with  conspicuous  reticu- 
lations of  whitish  lines.  reticulata,  p.  920. 

bb.  Head  scarcely  wider  than  deep,  its  length  3.6  to  3.8  in  body; 
dorsal  and  anal  joined  to  caudal,  the  former  with  II-3O  to  32 
rays,  the  latter  with  29  or  30  rays;  body  without  reticulations, 
mostly  dark  brown  or  black  above,  pale  below.  dowi,  p.  920. 

aa.     Dorsal  and   anal   of  moderate  length,   free   from  caudal,   the 


92O     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

former  with  II-i8  rays  and  the  latter  with  17  rays;  teeth  broad, 
incisor-like.  megalops,p.()2i. 

673.  Thalassophryne  reticulata  Giinther. 

Thalassophryne  reticulata  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1864,  150  & 
155  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  2325 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  186 
(Panama)  ;  Bean  &  Weed,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1911,  522. 
Head  2.8  to  3.2 ;  depth  4.4  to  6.1 ;  D.  11-26  to  28 ;  A.  25  or  26. 
Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  depressed,  much  wider  than  deep, 
its  width  1.05  to  1.15  in  its  length;  snout  very  broad,  and  not  much 
longer  than  eye,  its  edge  with  several  dermal  flaps;  eye  small,  wholly 
superior,  9.7  to  1 1  in  head ;  mouth  very  wide ;  lower  jaw  strongly  project- 
ing; maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.3  to  2.5  in  head; 
opercle  with  a  single,  stiff,  hollow  spine;  teeth  present  on  both  jaws, 
vomer  and  palatines,  conic,  more  or  less  flattened  at  tips ;  body  naked ; 
head  with  short  cirri  above;  lateral  line  single,  receiving  several  short 
side  branches  on  head ;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  with  2  hollow  spines ; 
the  second  dorsal  long  and  low,  free  from  the  caudal ;  caudal  fin  rounded ; 
anal  similar  to  second  dorsal,  and  free  from  caudal ;  pectorals  reaching 
past  origin  of  anal,  i  to  1.15  in  head. 

Color  dark  gray,  with  reticulations  of  whitish  lines,  the  reticulations 
smaller  anteriorly  than  posteriorly;  chest  and  abdomen  pale;  spinous 
dorsal  black;  other  fins  mostly  with  reticulations  similar  to  body,  their 
margins  pale. 

Of  this  species  we  have  8  specimens,  ranging  from  50  to  300  mm.  in 
length. 

Known  only  from  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens  are  from  Balboa 
and  Panama. 

674.  Thalassophryne  dowi  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Thalassophryne  dowi  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1887, 
388  (Punta  Arenas)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci., 
IV,  1904,  187  (Panama)  ;  Bean  &  Weed,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
1911,  514. 

Doctor  dowi  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2325- 

Head  3.6  to  3.8 ;  depth  4.8  to  5.75 ;  D.  11-30  to  32 ;  A.  29  or  30. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  depressed,  slightly  wider  than 
deep,  its  width  1.2  to  1.4  in  its  length;  snout  very  broad,  and  not  much 
longer  than  eye,  with  4  short  barbels  on  edge  behind  premaxillary ;  eyes 
very  small,  wholly  superior,  10  to  11.5  in  head;  mouth  very  wide,  the 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       921 

gape  much  wider  than  deep;  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting;  maxillary 
reaching  beyond  eye,  2.25  to  2.5  in  head ;  opercle  not  greatly  developed, 
with  a  strong  hollow  spine ;  teeth  present  on  both  jaws  and  on  palatines, 
the  latter  the  largest,  conic,  some  of  them  slightly  canine-like;  body 
naked;  lateral  line  single,  lying  close  to  the  back;  dorsal  fins  separate, 
the  first  composed  of  2  short  hollow  spines;  second  dorsal  long  and 
low,  joined  to  the  caudal ;  caudal  round ;  anal  similar  to  second  dorsal, 
joined  to  caudal;  pectorals  wide,  1.3  to  1.55  in  head. 

Color  dark  brown  or  black  above,  with  more  or  less  white  irregu- 
larly intermixed;  white  below;  lateral  line  in  a  pale  streak;  spinous 
dorsal  black;  soft  dorsal  and  caudal  pale  at  base,  with  bluish  black 
margin;  posterior  rays  of  anal  usually  with  a  dark  margin,  fin  other- 
wise pale ;  ventrals  pale ;  pectorals  more  or  less  dusky  at  base. 

The  present  collection  contains  5  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
130  to  160  mm.  Besides  these  we  have  examined  3  specimens  from 
the  National  Museum  collection  which  range  from  105  to  125  mm.  in 
length,  taken  by  the  Albatross  in  Panama  Bay. 

Known  from  Punta  Arenas  to  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Chame  Point  and  Balboa.  Two  of  the  Balboa  specimens  were 
seined  along  a  sandy  beach,  and  one  was  taken  in  a  muddy  tide  stream. 
The  species  apparently  is  rare. 

675.  Thalassophryne  megalops  Bean  &  Weed. 

Thalassophryne  megalops  Bean  &  Weed,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1911, 

523  (Gulf  of  Darien). 

Head  2.5  to  2.6;  depth  3.6  to  3.9;  D.  II-i8;  A.  17. 

Body  rather  robust ;  head  large,  strongly  depressed,  much  wider  than 
deep,  its  width  1.15  to  1.18  in  its  length;  eye  small,  superior,  5.35  to  5.7 
in  head;  snout  broad,  not  longer  than  eye,  with  2  prominent  dermal 
flaps  at  its  tip  back  of  premaxillary ;  mouth  large,  oblique;  lower  jaw 
strongly  projecting;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2  to 
2.3  in  head ;  opercle  with  a  single,  stiff,  hollow  spine ;  broad,  flat,  incisor- 
like  teeth  present  on  both  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines ;  body  scaleless ; 
head  without  cirri  above ;  lateral  line  indistinct ;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the 
first  with  2  hollow  spines;  the  second  of  moderate  length,  free  from 
caudal;  caudal  fin  rounded;  anal  similar  to  second  dorsal,  free  from 
caudal;  pectorals  reaching  past  origin  of  anal,  1.45  to  1.5  in  head. 

Preserved  specimens  at  hand  colorless,  except  for  some  black  at  base 
of  spinous  dorsal. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  The  above  description  is  based  on 
the  only  specimens  known,  the  type  66  mm.  long  and  the  paratype  51 


922     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

mm.  long,  both  dredged  by  the  Albatross  in  the  Gulf  of  Darien,  in  45 
fathoms  of  water. 

251.  Genus  Porichthys  Girard. 

Porichthys  Girard,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1854,  141  (type  Porich- 
thys notatus  Girard). 

Nautop&dium  Jordan,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,   1918   (1919),  342 
(type  Porichthys  plectrodon  Jordan  &  Gilbert  =  Batrachus  porosis- 
simus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Body  elongate;  head  depressed;  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  opercle 

small,  with  a  strong,  solid  spine;  subopercle  feebly  developed,  without 

a  spine;  canine  teeth  present,  sometimes  very  small;  branchiostegals  6; 

body  without  scales ;  several  rows  of  pores  and  spots  on  head  and  body, 

some  of  these  accompanied  by  cirri;  dorsal  spines  2,  stiff  and  solid; 

no  foramen  in  axil  of  pectoral;  air  bladder  more  or  less  deeply  divided 

into  2  lateral  parts;  vertebrae  12  -J-  31. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  and  anal   free  from  caudal;  pectoral  fin  pointed,  the 
middle  rays  produced. 

b.  Head  moderately  depressed,  its  width  1.35  to  1.55  in  its  length; 
third  lateral  line  continued  to  opposite  last  rays  of  anal;  series  of 
pores  on  branchiostegals  with  a  forward  projection,  forming  an 
acute  angle  anteriorly.  porosissimus,  p.  922. 

bb.  Head  strongly  depressed,  its  width  1.07  to  1.3  in  its  length;  third 
lateral  line  continued  to  opposite  the  beginning  of  the  posterior 
third  of  anal;  series  of  pores  on  branchiostegals  without  a  for- 
ward projection,  forming  an  obtuse  angle  anteriorly. 

margaritatus,  p.  923. 

aa.  Dorsal  and  anal  joined  to  the  caudal ;  pectoral  fin  rounded,  the 
middle  rays  not  produced.  greenei,  p.  924. 

676.  Porichthys  porosissimus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Batrachus  porosissimus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII, 

J837,  501  (St.  Catherine,  Cayenne,  Surinam,  Rio  de  Janeiro). 
Porichthys  porosissimus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  176; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2319,  PI. 

CCCXXXV,  fig.  811. 
Porichthys  plectrodon  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882, 

291  (Galveston,  Texas). 

Head  3.4  to  3.8;  depth  4.9  to  6.2;  D.  11-32  to  37;  A.  31  to  33. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       923 

Body  elongate;  head  depressed,  slightly  wider  than  deep,  its  width 
1.35  to  1.55  in  its  length;  snout  broad,  not  longer  than  eye,  with  2, 
dermal  flaps  and  a  row  of  small  cirri  on  margin  back  of  premaxillary ; 
eye  moderate,  superior,  4.25  to  6.3  in  head ;  lower  jaw  projecting;  mouth 
large;  the  maxillary  reaching  past  eye,  1.8  to  2  in  head;  opercle  with 
a  single  stiff  spine;  teeth  present  on  both  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines, 
those  on  upper  jaw  very  small;  vomer  with  a  pair  of  canines  on  each 
side;  some  of  the  lateral  teeth  on  lower  jaw  enlarged,  forming  canines; 
body  naked ;  sides  with  4  lateral  lines,  besides  several  series  of  dots  and 
pores  on  head,  chest  and  abdomen;  the  third  lateral  line  continued  to 
near  last  ray  of  anal ;  the  series  of  pores  on  branchiostegals  curved  and 
projecting  forward  toward  chin,  forming  an  acute  angle  anteriorly; 
dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  with  2  solid  spines;  the  second  long  and 
low,  free  from  the  caudal;  caudal  fin  rounded;  anal  similar  to  second 
dorsal,  free  from  caudal;  pectorals  wide  at  base,  pointed,  the  middle 
rays  produced,  1.2  to  1.4  in  head,  each  interradial  membrane  with  a 
pore  at  its  base  on  inner  side  of  fin. 

Color  light  to  dark  brown  above,  paler  below,  golden  or  silvery  on 
sides ;  back  with  7  or  8  saddle-like  blotches  which  are  more  or  less  con- 
fluent with  blotches  along  sides;  some  of  the  pores  marked  by  shining 
dots;  fins  mostly  plain;  anal  occasionally  with  a  brownish  margin; 
dorsal  sometimes  with  irregular  brownish  markings. 

Known  from  North  Carolina  to  Argentina.  This  species  was  not 
taken  by  us  and  there  are  no  Panama  records.  It  is  here  described  from 
9  specimens,  ranging  from  55  to  160  mm.  in  length,  from  the  U.S.N.M. 
collection.  Specimens  examined  are  from  Florida,  Texas  and  from 
33°  20'  N.,  70°  05'  W.,  dredged  by  the  Albatross. 

677.  Porichthys  margaritatus  (Richardson). 

Batrachus  margaritatus   Richardson,   in   Hinds,   Zool.   Voy.    Sulphur, 

Ichth.,  1844,  67,  PI.  XXXVIII,  figs.  2,  3  and  4  (Pacific  coast  of 

Central  America). 
Porichthys  nautopadium  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1889,  171  (Panama  Bay,  Albatross  Station  2802). 
Porichthys  margaritatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2322;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  184  (Panama). 
Porichthys  notatus  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus.  Zool.  Anat.  Torino,  XIV,  No. 

346,  1899,  3  (Rio  Tuyra,  Darien ;  not  of  Girard) . 

Head  3.25  to  4.1 ;  depth  5  to  5.8;  D.  11-34  to  37;  A.  32  to  36. 

Body  elongate ;  head  broad,  strongly  depressed,  wider  than  deep,  its 


924     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

width  1.07  to  1.3  in  its  length;  eye  rather  small,  superior,  3.9  to  6.3  in 
head ;  snout  short  and  broad,  with  2  dermal  flaps  and  a  row  of  fringes 
on  margin  back  of  premaxillary ;  lower  jaw  projecting;  mouth  large; 
the  maxillary  reaching  past  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.7  to  2.05  in  head ; 
opercle  with  a  single  solid  spine ;  teeth  on  both  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines, 
those  on  upper  jaw  very  small;  vomer  with  a  pair  of  canines  on  each 
side;  some  of  the  lateral  teeth  in  lower  jaw  enlarged,  forming  canines; 
body  naked ;  sides  with  4  lateral  lines,  besides  several  series  of  pores  on 
head,  chest  and  abdomen ;  third  lateral  line  ending  opposite  the  posterior 
third  of  anal;  the  series  of  pores  on  branchiostegals  in  straight  lines, 
forming  an  obtuse  angle  anteriorly;  dorsal  fins  separate,  the  first  with 
2  stiff,  solid  spines ;  the  second  long  and  low,  free  from  the  caudal ; 
caudal  fin  round ;  anal  similar  to  second  dorsal,  free  from  caudal ;  pec- 
torals long  and  pointed,  i.i  to  1.5  in  head;  a  distinct  pore  at  base  of  each 
interradial  membrane  on  inner  side  of  pectoral  fins. 

Color  brownish  above,  pale  below,  golden  or  silvery  on  sides;  pre- 
served specimens  at  hand  without  cross-bars ;  pectorals  with  alternating 
whitish  and  brownish  bars ;  dorsal  with  indistinct  dark  bars ;  caudal  and 
anal  with  dark  margins. 

This  species  was  taken  in  Panama  Bay  by  the  Albatross,  at  Station 
2802,  in  16  fathoms  of  water.  It  is  also  reported  by  Boulenger  from 
the  Rio  Tuyra,  Darien  (as  P.  notatus). 

Known  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Tropical  America.  This  species  is 
closely  related  to  P.  porosissimus. 

678.  Porichthys  greenei  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Porichthys  greenei  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904, 

184  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.9  to  4.3 ;  depth  4.8  to  6.5 ;  D.  11-36  to  39 ;  A.  32  to  36. 

Body  elongate;  head  depressed,  its  width  greater  than  its  depth,  1.15 
to  1.4  in  its  length;  eyes  very  small,  wholly  superior,  rather  close 
together,  6.2  to  6.6  in  head;  snout  broad,  not  much  longer  than  eye, 
with  2  dermal  appendages  near  tip  back  of  premaxillary;  lower  jaw 
projecting;  mouth  moderate;  the  maxillary  reaching  past  eye,  2  to 
2.3  in  head,  its  posterior  membranous  border  fringed;  opercle  with  a 
single  stiff  spine;  teeth  present  on  both  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines, 
those  on  upper  jaw  very  small;  vomer  with  a  pair  of  canines  on  each 
side;  some  of  the  lateral  teeth  on  lower  jaw  enlarged,  canine-like; 
body  naked ;  sides  with  4  lateral  lines,  besides  several  series  of  pores  on 
head,  chest  and  abdomen ;  third  lateral  line  ending  near  beginning  of  pos- 
terior third  of  base  of  anal;  series  of  pores  on  branchiostegals  without 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       925 

a  forward  projection,  forming  an  obtuse  angle  anteriorly;  dorsal  fins 
separate,  the  first  with  2  solid  spines ;  the  second  long  and  low,  joined 
to  upper  rays  of  caudal ;  caudal  fin  round ;  anal  similar  to  second  dor- 
sal, joined  to  lower  rays  of  caudal;  pectorals  round,  the  middle  rays 
not  produced,  i.i  to  1.33  in  head,  each  interradial  membrane  with  a 
pore  and  canal  on  inner  side  of  fin. 

Color  bright  golden  in  life;  a  dark  brown  band  on  head,  back  of 
eyes ;  back  with  6  distinct,  dark  brown,  saddle-like  blotches.  Fins  plain 
golden  in  life,  mostly  pale  in  spirits;  vertical  fins  sometimes  slightly 
dusky. 

This  species  is  represented  by  12  specimens  in  the  present  collec- 
tion, ranging  from  70  to  85  mm.  in  length. 

Known  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Balboa  and  Panama ;  mostly  from  rocky  tide  pools. 

Family  LXXX.    Gobiesocidae. 

THE  CLING-FISHES. 

Body  rather  elongate,  broad  and  depressed  m  front;  mouth  mod- 
erate; upper  jaw  protractile;  teeth  usually  rather  strong,  the  anterior 
ones  conical  or  incisor-like;  no  bony  stay  across  cheek;  opercle  re- 
duced to  a  spine-like  projection,  concealed  in  the  skin  and  sometimes 
obsolete;  pseudobranchiae  small  or  wanting;  gills  2^  or  3;  gill-mem- 
branes broadly  united,  free  or  united  with  the  isthmus;  scales  en- 
tirely wanting ;  dorsal  and  anal  similar,  situated  on  posterior  part  of  body 
and  nearly  or  quite  opposite  each  other,  consisting  of  soft  rays  only ;  ven- 
tral fins  far  apart,  each  with  I  concealed  spine  and  4  or  5  soft  rays; 
a  large  sucking  disk  present  between  the  ventrals,  the  fins  usually 
forming  a  part  of  it.  This  family  is  composed  of  small  fishes  which 
live  chiefly  in  warm  seas,  clinging  to  stones  and  other  objects  by  means 
of  the  sucking  disk. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.       Incisors  of  lower  jaw  with  entire  edges.  Gobiesox,  p.  925. 

aa.     Incisors  of  lower  jaw  tricuspid  or  serrate.      Arbadosa,  p.  926. 

252.  Genus  Gobiesox  Lacepede. 

Gobiesox  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  II,  1800,  595   (type  Gobiesox 

cephalus  Lacepede). 
Megaphalus  Rafinesque,  Analyse  Nat.,  etc.,  1815,  86   (substitute  for 

Gobiesox,  regarded  as  objectionable). 


926    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Sicyases  Muller  &  Troschel,  in  Miiller,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  IX,  1843,  29& 
(type  Sicyases  sanguineus  Miiller  &  Troschel). 

Tomicodon  Brisout  de  Barneville,  Rev.  Zool.,  1846,  144  (type  Tomi- 

codon  chilensis  Brisout  de  Barneville). 
Sicyogaster  Brisout  de  Barneville,  Rev.  Zool.,  1846,  144  (type  Gobie- 

so\x  marmoratus  Jenyns). 

Body  anteriorly  very  broad  and  depressed,  posteriorly  slender; 
head  large,  rounded;  mouth  terminal;  lower  jaw  with  a  series  of 
strong  incisors  in  front,  their  edges  rounded  or  truncate;  upper  jaw 
with  a  series  of  strong  teeth,  sometimes  followed  by  smaller  teeth;  no 
teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines ;  gills  3 ;  gill-membranes  broadly  united,  free 
from  the  isthmus ;  sucking  disk  large.  Small  fishes  which  cling  to  rocks 
or  other  objects  near  the  shore,  living  mostly  in  the  tropics.  A  single 
species  is  known  from  Panama.* 

679.  Gobiesox  rhodospilus  Giinther. 

Gobiesox  rhodospilus  Giinther,   Proc.   Zool.   Soc.   London,    1864,   25 

(Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2335;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  189. 

This  species  is  known  from  Panama  (Pacific  coast)  from  2  speci- 
mens, each  about  32  mm.  in  length,  collected  by  Captain  Dow.  It  has 
not  been  seen  by  later  collectors.  The  following  description  is  after 
Giinther : 

D.  6;  A.  5;  C.  8  or  9;  P.  17.  A  vertical  fold  of  skin  along  lower 
half  of  base  of  pectoral.  Distance  from  front  of  dorsal  to  caudal  2^3 
in  its  distance  from  snout;  anal  above  third  dorsal  ray.  A  very  nar- 
row band  of  short  conical  teeth  in  upper  jaw,  I  lateral  tooth  larger 
than  the  others,  recurved,  canine-like;  lower  jaw  with  I  series  of 
teeth,  the  anterior  narrow  incisors,  the  outer  distinctly  canine,  like 
the  outer  above.  Rose-colored  with  rose-red  transverse  spots,  each  with 
an  edge  of  deep  red  dots. 

Known  from  Panama  and  Santa  Helena  Bay  near  Guayaquil.  The 
species  was  not  seen  by  us. 

253.  Genus  Arbaciosa  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Arbaciosa  Jordan  &  Evermann,  in  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser., 
VI,  1896,  230  (type  Gobiesox  humeralis  Gilbert). 
This  genus  differs  from  Gobiesox  chiefly  in  the  character  of  the 

*Since  these  pages  were  prepared  a  second  species,   G.  micro spilus,  was  de- 
scribed from  Panama  Bay  by  Fowler  (Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  p.  412). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       927 

incisors  on  the  lower  jaw,  which  are  strongly  notched  or  tricuspid. 
The  species  are  small  in  size  and  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  are  short. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  with  6  rays ;  anal  fin  with  5  or  6  rays ;  opercular 
spine  evident.  zebra,  p.  927. 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  with  5  rays ;  anal  fin  with  4  rays ;  opercular  spine 
obsolete.  minuta  sp.  nov.,  p.  928. 

680.  Arbaciosa  zebra  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Gobiesox  zebra  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881  (1882), 

359  (Mazatlan,  Mexico). 
Arbaciosa  zebra  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,   2341 ;   Kendall   &   Radcliffe,    Memoir.    Mus.    Comp.    Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  160  (Taboguilla  Island,  Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.25  to  3.8 ;  depth  7.7  to  9.75 ;  D.  6 ;  A.  5  or  6. 

Body  anteriorly  broad,  depressed,  posteriorly  compressed;  head 
low  and  broad,  its  width  4.5  to  4.75  in  length;  snout  slightly  acute, 
3.35  to  4.2  in  head ;  eye  moderate,  4.2  to  4.3 ;  interorbital  3  to  4 ; 
mouth  small,  slightly  inferior,  the  upper  lip  protruding ;  teeth  in  lower 
jaw  broad,  distinctly  notched;  gill-membranes  broadly  united,  free 
from  the  isthmus;  opercular  spine  evident;  ventral  disk  moderate,  its 
width  about  1.5  in  head;  dorsal  fin  rather  small,  inserted  a  little  nearer 
tip  of  caudal  than  margin  of  opercle;  caudal  fin  round;  anal  fin  rather 
short,  its  origin  under  middle  of  base  of  dorsal;  ventral  fins  short, 
posteriorly  free  from  the  disk;  pectoral  fins  short  and  broad,  2.5  to  3 
in  head. 

The  color  is  described  in  the  original  description  by  Jordan  &  Gil- 
bert as  follows :  "Back  with  five  dark  cross-bars  about  as  wide  as  the 
interspaces,  three  of  them  in  front  of  the  dorsal  fin,  the  two  anterior 
much  broader  and  more  distinct  than  the  others ;  these  bars  are  all  dis- 
tinct on  the  back,  fading  on  the  sides,  which  are  often  vaguely  clouded 
with  dark;  the  color  of  these  dark  bars  varies  from  reddish-brown  to 
black,  and  that  of  the  interspaces  from  olivaceous  to  light  pink  and  bright 
rose-red ;  top  of  head  bright  red,  marbled  with  light  slaty-bluish ;  a  black 
blotch  on  opercle,  and  two  very  distinct  black  cross  spots,  one  on  each 
side  of  median  line,  forming  the  front  of  first  dorsal  bar;  sometimes 
cheeks  with  two  or  three  pale  bluish  streaks ;  dorsal,  pectoral,  and  caudal 
more  or  less  shaded  with  dusky ;  lower  fins  pale ;  usually  a  dark  bar 
at  base  of  caudal  and  one  across  middle  of  the  fin."  It  was  later  pointed 
out  that  a  large  variation  in  color  exists  in  the  species.  The  preserved 


928     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

specimens  at  hand  are  brownish,  the  upper  parts  with  irregular  darker 
markings.  There  are  indications  of  dark  bars  on  the  back  of  only  I  of 
5  specimens  examined. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us,  but  we  have  examined  5  speci- 
mens from  Taboguilla  Island,  collected  by  the  Albatross  and  recorded 
by  Kendall  &  Radcliffe  (1912). 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama  Bay. 

681.  Arbaciosa  minuta  sp.  nov.    (Plate  XCII.) 

Type  No.  81523,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  22  mm. ;  tide  pools,  Colon. 

Head  3.6 ;  depth  7.2 ;  D.  5 ;  A.  4. 

Body  anteriorly  much  depressed,  broad  and  low,  the  depth  equal 
to  about  half  the  width  at  base  of  pectorals,  compressed  posteriorly; 
head  low  and  broad;  snout  rounded,  about  as  long  as  eye;  eye  mod- 
erate, 3.8  in  head;  interorbital  rather  broad,  2.5  in  head;  mouth  hori- 
zontal, nearly  terminal;  the  upper  jaw  slightly  protruding;  teeth  an- 
teriorly in  the  jaws  broad,  notched,  tricuspid,  smaller  and  narrow  at 
sides;  gill-membranes  broadly  united,  free  from  the  isthmus;  a  fold 
of  skin  along  lower  lateral  margin  of  head ;  opercular  spine  obsolete ; 
side  of  head  behind  eye  with  a  concealed  antrorse  spine;  ventral  disk 
large,  i.i  in  head,  4  in  body;  dorsal  fin  small,  inserted  about  equi- 
distant from  margin  of  opercle  and  tip  of  caudal;  caudal  fin  rather 
long,  rounded;  anal  fin  very  short,  its  origin  under  middle  of  base 
of  dorsal;  ventral  fins  shorter  than  head,  inserted  under  margin  of 
opercle,  that  part  of  disk  situated  between  and  in  advance  of  ventrals 
united  with  the  base  and  outer  rays  of  fins ;  pectoral  fins  broad, 
rounded,  the  median  rays  longest. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish  above,  pale  below ;  top  of  head  and 
back  with  indefinite  dark  spots,  forming  2  indefinite  H-shaped  mark- 
ings on  anterior  part  of  back;  dorsal  fin  dark  brownish;  the  caudal 
fin  somewhat  paler,  with  2  rather  distinct  dark  cross-bars;  pectoral 
and  ventral  fins  pale. 

A  single  specimen,  22  mm.  long,  of-  this  little  fish  occurs  in  the 
Panama  collection.  It  is  characterized  by  the  obsolete  opercular  spine, 
and  by  the  very  short  dorsal  and  anal  fins.  Our  specimen  was  taken 
in  a  tide  pool  at  Colon. 

Family  LXXXI.  Blenniidae. 

THE  BLENNIES. 

Body  elongate;  mouth  large  or  small;  teeth  various;  gill-mem- 
branes free  from  the  isthmus  or  attached  to  it;  lateral  line  variously 
developed,  often  wanting,  sometimes  duplicated  or  branched;  scales 


a  «  g 


THE  LIBRARY 
OF  1HE 

'..JVfcliit llf  ti  ILLINOIS 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       929 

moderate  or  small,  or  wanting;  dorsal  fin  with  spines,  at  least  an- 
teriorly, with  or  without  soft  rays;  caudal  fin  well  developed;  anal 
fin  long,  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  ventral  fins,  if  present,  jugular  or  sub- 
thoracic,  consisting  of  i  spine  and  I  to  3  soft  rays. 

This  is  a  large  family  of  small  or  moderate  sized  fishes,  living 
mostly  near  the  shore  in  tropical,  temperate  and  arctic  seas.  Few  if 
any  of  them  are  of  commercial  value. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Body  partly  or  entirely  covered  with  scales. 

b.  Dorsal  fin  composed  wholly  of  spines  or  with  one  soft  ray 
only,  a  notch  between  the  third  and  fourth  spines. 

Auchenopterus,  p.  930. 
bb.     Dorsal  fin  composed  of  numerous  spines  and  soft  rays. 

c.  No  dermal  tentacles  present  over  eyes  or  at  nape. 

Mnierpes,  p.  933. 
cc.     Dermal  tentacles  present  over  eyes  and  at  nape. 

d.  Teeth  in  the  jaws  in  more  than  one  series,  usually  an  enlarged 
outer  series  with  a  band  of  villiform  teeth  behind  it. 

e.  Cornea  divided  by  an  oblique  pigmented  band  into  an  anterior 
lower  and  posterior  upper  half ;  nape  on  each  side  with  a  single 
short  tentacle.  Dialommus,  p.  934. 

ee.     Cornea  normal ;  nape  with  a  tuft  or  series  of  tentacles. 

Labrisomus,  p.  935. 

dd.     Teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series ;  vomer  with  a  few  teeth 
or  none;  a  comb  of  fine  tentacles  at  nape. 

Malacoctenus,  p.  938. 
aa.     Body  entirely  scaleless. 

f.  Teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series. 

g.  Teeth  all  fixed,  attached  to  the  bone  of  the  jaw,  not  movable, 
h.       One  or  both  jaws  with  a  pair  of  stout  fang-like  canines  on 

each  side;  gill-membranes  free  from  the  isthmus,  or  at  least 

forming  a  fold  across  it.  Blennius,  p.  940. 

hh.     No   canines   in   jaws ;  gill-membranes    fully   united   with   the 

isthmus ;  the  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  sides, 
i.        Ventrals  with  i  short  spine  and  3  simple  rays ;  mouth  small. 

Hypsoblennius,  p.  942. 
ii.       Ventrals  with  i  spine  and  4  simple  rays ;  mouth  rather  large. 

Homesthes,  p.  947. 

gg.     Teeth  on  front  of  jaws  implanted  on  lips,  all  movable, 
j.       One  or  both  jaws  posteriorly  with  a  pair  of  strong  fang-like 

canines. 


930    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

k.       Vomer  toothless  ;  dorsal  fin  continuous.       Rupiscartes,  p.  948. 

kk.  Vomer  with  a  single  series  of  conical  teeth;  dorsal  fin  rather 
deeply  notched.  Salarichthys,  p.  949. 

jj.     No  canines  in  jaws.  Salarias,  p..  951. 

ff.  An  enlarged  series  of  teeth  on  margin  of  each  jaw,  with  a 
band  of  villiform  teeth  behind  it  on  anterior  part  of  jaws;  no 
canines;  vomer  and  palatines  each  with  a  single  series  of 
strong  teeth;  the  vomerine  teeth  separated  from  the  palatine 
teeth  by  a  slight  interruption ;  no  cirri  at  nape ;  no  lateral  line. 

Emblemaria,  p.  952. 

254.  Genus  Auchenopterus  Giinther. 

Auchenopterus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  275   (type 

Auchenopterus  monophthalmus  Giinther). 

Cremnobates  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1861,  374  (type  Au- 
chenopterus monophthalmus;  substitute  for  Auchenopterus,  re- 
garded as  preoccupied  on  account  of  its  similarity  to  Auchenipterus, 
a  genus  of  Siluridce). 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  rather  short ;  snout  pointed ; 
mouth  moderate,  oblique ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  anteriorly  in  bands ;  vomer 
with  one  or  more  series  of  teeth;  palatines  toothless;  gill-membranes 
united,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  lateral  line  complete,  anteriorly  with  a 
long  arch ;  upper  surface  of  head  with  tentacles ;  scales  moderate, 
cycloid,  wanting  on  head ;  dorsal  fin  with  more  or  less  of  a  notch 
between  the  third  and  fourth  spines,  usually  with  one  soft  ray  only; 
anal  fin  low,  with  2  short  spines ;  pectoral  fins  broad ;  ventrals  jugular. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  in  lateral  series  30  to  34;  4  scales  in  an  oblique  series 
between  the  beginning  of  the  straight  portion  of  the  lateral 
line  and  the  base  of  dorsal;  anal  formula  II,  18  or  19;  the  last 
ray  of  dorsal  a  distinct  spine.  affinis,  p.  930. 

aa.  Scales  in  lateral  series  35  to  38;  5,  or  rarely  4^2,  scales  in  an 
oblique  series  between  the  beginning  of  the  straight  portion  of 
lateral  line  and  base  of  dorsal;  anal  formula  II,  20,  rarely  II, 
19;  the  last  ray  of  dorsal  soft.  monophthalmus,  p..  932. 

682.  Auchenopterus  affinis  (Steindachner).     (Plate  XCIII,  fig.  i.) 
Cremnobates  affinis  Steindachner,   (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien)   Ichth. 

Beitr.,  V,  1876,  178  (St.  Thomas)  ;  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1884,  142  (Key  West,  Florida). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       931 

Auchenopterus  affinis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2371. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  3.6  to  4.25;  D.  III-XXV  or  XXVI;  A.  II, 
1 8  or  19;  scales  30  to  34. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  deeper  than  broad ;  snout  pointed, 
3.55  to  4  in  head ;  eye  3.7  to  4.5 ;  interorbital  a  little  narrower  than 
eye ;  mouth  moderate,  terminal,  oblique ;  maxillary  reaching  opposite 
or  slightly  beyond  middle  of  eye,  1.8  to  2.25  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws 
anteriorly  in  broad  villiform  bands,  reduced  to  a  single  series  at  sides, 
wanting  posteriorly;  vomer  with  a  horseshoe-shaped  band  of  villi- 
form teeth;  opercle  with  a  short  spine  at  upper  angle;  preopercle  un- 
armed; gill-membranes  broadly  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus; 
lateral  line  with  a  long  arch  anteriorly,  the  arched  portion  about  ^4 
the  length  of  the  straight  part ;  a  pair  of  fringed  tentacles  over  eye 
and  another  pair  at  occiput;  scales  moderate,  cycloid,  4  in  an  oblique 
series  between  the  beginning  of  the  straight  part  of  lateral  line  and 
base  of  dorsal;  dorsal  fin  composed  of  spines  only,  the  notch  between 
the  third  and  fourth  spines  various,  rather  deep  or  very  shallow,  the 
membrane  of  the  last  spine  attached  to  base  of  caudal;  caudal  fin 
rounded,  notably  shorter  than  head;  anal  fin  moderate,  not  as  high 
as  the  dorsal,  its  base  equal  to  half  the  length  of  body  without  snout 
and  eye;  ventral  fin  inserted  under  the  free  edge  of  gill-membrane, 
with  only  2  rays;  pectoral  fins  rather  broad,  1.05  to  1.4  in  head. 

Color  in  life  of  a  specimen  39  mm.  long :  Body  and  eyes  dark  red ; 
dorsal  and  anal  deep  red,  with  pale  margin;  the  second  dorsal  with  a 
black  ocellated  spot  between  the  nineteenth  and  twenty-first  spines ; 
caudal  fin  with  a  black  base,  the  rest  of  fin  pale  red,  with  brownish 
markings ;  ventrals  and  pectorals  light  red  with  brownish  bars.  The 
specimen  on  which  the  above  color  description  was  based  is  much 
lighter  in  alcohol  than  our  other  specimens,  most  of  which  have  rather 
distinct  brownish  cross-bars  on  sides  and  brown  markings,  forming 
cross-lines  on  the  lower  surface  of  the  head.  In  these  specimens  the 
fins  are  all  spotted  and  barred  with  dark  brown.  One  specimen  is 
dark  brown,  with  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  nearly  black. 

This  fish  is  represented  by  7  specimens  in  the  present  collection, 
ranging  in  length  from  40  to  50  mm.  Our  specimens  seem  to  differ 
somewhat  from  published  descriptions  in  having  a  slightly  shorter 
dorsal  fin,  the  formula  given  in  current  descriptions  being  III-XXVII, 
i ;  the  original  description  gives  III-XXVIII,  stating  specifically  that 
the  last  spine  (not  ray)  is  attached  to  the  base  of  the  caudal  by  a 


932    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

membrane.     Later  authors   state   that  the   dorsal  has   one   soft   ray, 
which  is  not  true  of  our  specimens,  and  evidently  not  of  the  type. 

Recorded  from  Key  West  and  the  West  Indies  and  now  for  the 
first  time  from  the  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  all  from 
Fox  Bay,  Colon. 

683.  Auchenopterus  monophthalmus  Giinther.    ( Plate  XCIII,  fig.2.) 

Auchenopterus  monophthalmus  Giinther,   Cat.   Fish.   Brit.   Mus.,   Ill, 

1861,  275  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2372;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  189  (tide  pools,  Panama). 

Cremnobates  monophthalmus  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1861, 

374- 
Auchenopterus  monopthalmus  Kendall  &  RadclifFe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp. 

Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  152  (Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.6  to  4.1 ;  depth  3.9  to  5;  D.  III-XXV  or  XXVI,  i ;  A.  II, 
20,  rarely  II,  19;  scales  35  to  38. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  low,  a  little  deeper  than  wide; 
snout  pointed,  3.4  to  4.4  in  head;  eye  3.25  to  4.45;  interorbital  about 
half  the  width  of  eye;  mouth  rather  large,  terminal,  or  the  lower  jaw 
slightly  projecting,  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of 
pupil  or  beyond,  1.9  to  2.4  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  anteriorly  in 
broad  villiform  bands,  reduced  to  a  single  series  at  sides,  wanting 
posteriorly;  vomer  with  a  horseshoe-shaped  band  of  villiform  teeth; 
opercle  with  a  short  spine  at  upper  angle;  preopercle  unarmed;  gill- 
membranes  broadly  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus;  lateral  line 
anteriorly  with  a  long  arch,  the  arched  portion  about  %.  the  length 
of  the  straight  part;  a  pair  of  fringed  tentacles  over  eye  and  another 
small  pair  at  occiput;  scales  rather  small,  cycloid,  5  or  rarely  4l/2 
scales  in  an  oblique  row  between  the  beginning  of  the  straight  part 
of  the  lateral  line  and  the  base  of  dorsal ;  dorsal  fin  with  a  single  soft 
ray,  the  notch  between  the  third  and  fourth  spines  pronounced,  ex- 
tending nearly  or  quite  to  base  of  fin,  the  soft  ray  attached  to  base 
of  caudal  by  a  membrane;  caudal  fin  rounded,  notably  shorter  than 
head ;  anal  fin  not  as  high  as  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  inserted  under  or 
just  back  of  margin  of  gill-membranes,  composed  of  2  rays ;  pectorals 
rather  broad,  1.15  to  1.45  in  head. 

Color  dark  brown  above,  paler  below ;  sides  sometimes  with  irregu- 
lar dark  markings;  lower  surface  of  head  with  dark  spots,  forming 
more  or  less  distinct  cross-bars  in  female;  these  parts  plain  in  the 
male ;  the  dorsal  and  anal  uniform  dark  brown,  with  a  pale  margin, 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       933 

or  pale,  with  dark  cross-bars ;  a  black  ocellus  between  the  eighteenth  and 
twenty-first  spines ;  caudal  fin  with  a  black  bar  at  base,  the  rest  of  the 
fin  variously  marked,  plain  dusky,  or  with  the  lower  fourth  of  fin  black 
and  the  upper  part  pale  with  dark  markings,  or  simply  pale,  with  black 
spots  sometimes  forming  distinct  cross-bars;  caudal  fin  Uniform  pale 
brown  in  female,  with  dark  spots  or  other  markings  in  the  male ;  ventrals 
and  pectorals  with  black  spots,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  bars  in 
female,  usually  plain  brown  to  pale  in  the  male. 

This  is  a  very  common  fish  in  the  tide  pools  on  the  coral  reef  at 
Panama  City.  The  sexes  may  be  distinguished  by  the  color  as  already 
pointed  out,  also  by  the  size  of  the  mouth,  the  male  having  a  notably 
larger  mouth,  with  the  maxillary  extending  opposite  posterior  margin 
of  eye.  The  Panama  collection  contains  78  specimens,  ranging  from 
35  to  72  mm.  in  length. 

This  fish  is  closely  related  to  A.  affinis  from  the  Atlantic  coast, 
from  which  it  may,  however,  be  distinguished  by  the  slightly  more 
numerous  scales  in  a  lateral  series,  as  well  as  in  the  number  of  rows 
of  scales  above  the  straight  part  of  the  lateral  line.  The  anal  fin  nor- 
mally has  one  or  two  soft  rays  and  the  dorsal  has  the  last  ray  soft,  which 
in  A.  affinis  is  a  distinct  spine. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  to  Panama.  Our  specimens 
are  all  from  tide  pools  at  Balboa  and  Panama  City. 

255.  Genus  Mnierpes  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Mnierpes  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI  1895 
(1896),  468  (type  Clinus  macrocephalus  Giinther). 
Body  very  elongate ;  the  head  low  and  broad ;  upper  lip  thickened ; 
no  dermal  tentacle  over  eye  or  at  nape ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  villif orm 
bands,  with  an  enlarged  outer  series ;  a  band  of  pointed  teeth  on  vomer, 
none   on   palatines ;    scales    small,   cycloid ;    dorsal   spines    numerous, 
about  22,  soft  rays  about  12. 

A  single  species  of  the  genus  is  known. 

681.  Mnierpes  macrocephalus  (Giinther). 

Clinus  macrocephalus  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,   1861,  266 

(Pacific  coast  of  Central  America)  ;  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus.  Zool. 

Anat.  Torino,  XIV,  No.  346,  1899,  4  (Flamenco  Island,  Panama 

Bay). 

Labrosomus  macrocephalus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  389. 
Mnierpes  macrocephalus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm., 

XXI,  1895  (1896),  468;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 


934    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

XLVII,  1898,  2364;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  189;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXXV, 

1912,  152  (Perico  and  Taboguilla  islands,  Panama  Bay). 

Head  4.4  to  5.05;  depth  5.65  to  7.3;  D.  XXII,  12  or  13;  A.  II,  24 
or  25 ;  scales  about  75. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  broader  than  deep ;  snout  short,  3.6 
to  4.1  in  head;  eye  3.35  to  3.8;  mouth  horizontal,  upper  lip  protruding; 
maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.1  to  2.45  in 
head ;  teeth  in  jaws  in  villiform  bands,  the  outer  series  slightly  en- 
larged; vomer  with  a  narrow  band  of  pointed  teeth;  anterior  nostril 
with  a  very  short  fringed  tentacle ;  no  tentacles  over  eye  or  at  nape ; 
gill-membranes  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  arched 
anteriorly,  becoming  straight  under  middle  of  spinous  part  of  dorsal; 
scales  small,  difficult  to  enumerate,  cycloid,  covering  entire  body  except 
head  and  chest;  dorsal  fin  long,  with  a  slight  indentation  between  the 
spinous  and  soft  parts,  its  origin  over  margin  of  preopercle ;  caudal 
fin  round ;  anal  fin  moderate,  with  2  very  short  spines ;  ventrals  short ; 
pectorals  moderate,  I  to  1.33  in  head. 

Color  dark  gray  above;  under  parts  pale;  sides  with  more  or  less 
distinct  dark  blotches  and  with  indefinite  pale  spots,  the  latter  distinct 
on  sides  of  head  and  on  snout ;  fins  rather  pale,  the  rays  usually  with 
more  or  less  distinct  brown  spots. 

This  species,  although  taken  at  Panama  several  times,  does  not 
occur  in  our  collection.  'We  have  examined  6  fine  specimens  from 
Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay,  taken  by  the  Albatross,  and  now  deposited 
in  the  U.  S.  National  Museum.  These  specimens  range  in  length  from 
70  to  io8mm.  and  form  the  basis  for  the  above  description. 

The  species  appears  to  have  been  recorded  only  from  the  west  coast 
of  Panama. 

256.  Genus  Dialommus  Gilbert. 

Dialommus  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1890,  452  (type  Dialommus 

fuscus  Gilbert). 

Body  elongate,  slender;  head  low  and  short;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in 
narrow  bands ;  vomer  with  a  single  series  of  teeth,  none  on  palatines ; 
the  cornea  divided  by  an  oblique  pigmented  band  into  an  anterior 
lower  and  a  posterior  upper  half ;  posterior  nostril  with  a  short  fringed 
tentacle ;  upper  margin  of  eye  ball  with  one  or  more  slender  tentacles ; 
each  side  of  nape  with  a  single  short  tentacle;  scales  rather  small; 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      935 

dorsal  fin  very  long,  without  notch,  composed  of  numerous  spines  and 
soft  rays ;  ventral  fins  short,  with  I,  3  rays. 
A  single  species  of  this  genus  is  known. 

682.  Dialommus  fuscus  Gilbert. 

Dialommus  fuscus  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1890,  452  (Galapagos 

Islands);  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2868 ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Com.  Zool.,  XXXV, 

1912,  153  (Chatham  Island  and  Perico  Island). 

Head  5  to  6;  depth  6  to  7;  D.  XXV,  13  to  15;  A.  I,  28;  scales 
about  60. 

Body  elongate,  slender ;  head  very  short,  broader  than  deep ;  snout 
very  short,  3.5  to  4  in  head;  eye  2.7  to  3.15;  mouth  horizontal,  the 
upper  lip  protruding;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  vertical  from 
posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.4  to  2.65  in  head;  teeth  in  bands  in  the 
jaws,  the  outer  series  enlarged;  vomer  with  a  single  series  of  teeth; 
palatines  toothless ;  gill-membranes  united,  free  from  the  isthmus ; 
anterior  nostril  with  a  short  fringed  tentacle;  i  to  3  short  tentacles 
on  upper  margin  of  eye  ball  and  a  single  tentacle  on  each  side  at  nape ; 
lateral  line  anteriorly  with  a  short  arch ;  scales  rather  small  and  thin ; 
dorsal  fin  very  long,  not  notched,  its  origin  a  little  in  advance  of 
opercular  margin;  caudal  fin  round,  a  little  longer  than  head;  anal 
fin  long,  with  a  single  very  short  spine;  ventral  fins  notably  shorter 
than  head :  pectoral  fins  equal  to  or  longer  than  head. 

Color  brownish  above  and  on  sides ;  under  parts  pale ;  the  back 
with  traces  of  black  cross-bars,  extending  on  base  of  dorsal  fin ;  sides 
in  some  specimens  with  pearly  spots ;  ventral  fins  pale ;  the  other  fins  all 
dusky,  with  more  or  less  distinct  dark  spots. 

This  fish  is  recorded  by  Kendall  &  Radcliffe  from  Perico  Island, 
Panama  Bay,  where  one  specimen,  46  mm.  long,  was  taken  in  a  tide 
pool  by  the  Albatross.  It  does  not  occur  in  our  collection.  The  above 
description  is  based  on  2  specimens,  respectively  58  and  70  mm.  in 
length,  from  Chatham  Island. 

Known  from  Panama  south  to  the  Galapagos  Islands. 

257.  Genus  Labrisomus  Swainson. 

Labrisomus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  277  (tvPe 

Clinus  pectinifer  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Lepisoma   DeKay,   Fauna    N.  Y.,    Fishes,    1842,  41    (type   Lepisoma 

cirrhosum  DeKay  =  Clinus  pectinifer  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 


936    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Labrosomus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.   Nat.   Sci.   Phila.,    1860,    105    (corrected 

spelling) . 

Body  oblong,  robust;  head  short,  compressed;  mouth  rather  large; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  band,  the  outer  series  notably  enlarged  and 
more  or  less  separated  from  the  villiform  teeth  behind  it;  vomer  with 
teeth;  one  or  more  tentacles  present  on  upper  margin  of  eye;  sides 
of  neck  with  a  tuft  or  series  of  tentacles ;  scales  rather  small,  cycloid  ; 
lateral  line  complete,  anteriorly  arched;  dorsal  fin  single,  very  long, 
composed  of  numerous  spines  and  soft  rays ;  pectorals  long. 

Two  species,  one  from  each  coast,  are  represented  in  the  Panama 
collection. 

KEY   TO   THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  with  12  soft  rays,  the  posterior  spines  of  dorsal  not 
notably  shorter  than  the  median  ones;  maxillary  1.95  to  2.25 
in  head.  nuchipinnis,  p.  936. 

aa.  Dorsal  with  13  soft  rays,  the  posterior  spines  of  dorsal  notably 
shorter  than  the  median  ones ;  maxillary  1 .85  to  1 .95  in  head. 

xanti,  p.  937. 

686.  Labrisomus  nuchipinnis  (Quoy  &  Gaimard).     (Plate  XCIV, 

fig.  i.) 
Clinus  nuchipinnis  Quoy  &  Gaimard,  in  Freycinet,   Voy.  Uranie  et 

Physicienne,  Zool.,  1824,  255   (Brazil). 
Clinus  pectinifer  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

374  (Bahia). 
Clinus  capillatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

377- 

Lepisoma  cirrhosum  DeKay,  Fauna  N.  Y.,  Fishes,  1842,  41,  PI.  XXX, 
fig.  94  (Florida). 

Labrosomus  pectinifer  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1860,  105. 

Labrosomus  capillatus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1860,  107. 

Labrisomus  nuchipinnis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2362;  Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  157  (Cale- 
donia Bay). 
Head  3.2  to  3.5;  depth  3.5  to  3.9;  D.  XVIII,  12;  A.  II,  17  or  18; 

scales  68  to  80. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  low;  snout  moderate,  3  to  3.3 

in  head ;  eye  3.8  to  4.7 ;  mouth  rather  large,  terminal,  slightly  oblique ; 

maxillary  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  opposite  posterior  margin  of 

pupil,  1.95  to  2.25  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  bands,  the  outer  series 


ii 


_      V 

ii 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      937 

in  each  jaw  notably  enlarged;  vomer  with  a  band  of  villiform  teeth 
extending  backward  on  palatines;  opercle  and  preopercle  unarmed; 
gill-membranes  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  lateral  line  complete, 
anteriorly  with  a  long  low  arch,  the  arched  portion  equal  in  length 
to  the  straight  part;  anterior  nostril  and  upper  margin  of  eye  each 
with  a  tuft  of  fine  tentacles;  a  nuchal  series  of  slender  tentacles 
present;  scales  small,  cycloid,  covering  entire  body  except  head; 
dorsal  fin  very  long,  the  posterior  spines  not  notably  reduced  in  length, 
the  soft  part  higher  than  the  spines;  caudal  fin  broadly  rounded; 
anal  fin  moderate,  the  tips  of  most  of  the  rays  free;  ventral  fins  close 
together,  inserted  under  posterior  margin  of  preopercle,  with  a  spine 
and  3  soft  rays;  pectoral  fins  broad,  1.25  to  1.6  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  brown  above,  somewhat  paler  below;  sides 
with  more  or  less  distinct  dark  cross-bars  and  blotches ;  opercle  with 
a  black  spot ;  sides  of  head  and  chin  without  irregular  dark  lines ; 
fins  brownish,  all  except  the  ventrals  more  or  less  spotted  with  dark, 
forming  irregular  cross-bars;  spinous  dorsal  anteriorly  with  a  large 
black  spot.  The  dark  cross-bars  of  sides  are  sometimes  indistinctly 
extended  on  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins. 

This  is  a  common  species  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama  where 
it  inhabits  rocky  tide  pools.  The  species  is  represented  in  the  present 
collection  by  91  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  50  to  125  mm. 
Specimens  taken  in  May  have  the  ovaries  well  distended  with  eggs. 

The  range  of  the  species  appears  to  extend  from  Florida  south  to 
Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from  Toro  Point,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

687.  Labrisomus  xanti  Gill.     (Plate  XCIV.,  fig.  2.) 

Labrosomus  xanti  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1860,  107  (Cerro 

Blanco). 
Labrisomus  xanti  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2362. 

Head  3.3  to  3.45 ;  depth  3.3  to  3.45 ;  D.  XVIII,  13 ;  A.  II,  18  or  19; 
scales  65  to  79. 

Body  rather  robust,  compressed ;  head  low ;  snout  moderate,  3.35  in 
head ;  eye  3.95  to  4.7 ;  mouth  large,  terminal,  slightly  oblique ;  maxillary 
reaching  nearly  to  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.85  to  1.95 
in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  band,  the  outer  series  notably  enlarged, 
more  or  less  canine-like  and  well  separated  from  the  band  of  villiform 
teeth  behind  it ;  vomer  with  a  single  series  of  short,  stout  teeth ;  palatines 
with  a  narrow  band  of  blunt  teeth;  opercle  and  preopercle  unarmed; 
gill-membranes  united,  free  from  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  complete, 


938     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

anteriorly  with  a  long  arch,  longer  than  the  straight  portion ;  anterior 
nostril  and  upper  margin  of  eye  each  with  a  tuft  of  tentacles;  a 
nuchal  comb  of  tentacles  present;  scales  rather  small,  cycloid,  cover- 
ing entire  body,  except  head ;  dorsal  fin  very  long,  the  spines  increasing 
in  length  gradually  from  the  first  to  the  middle  of  fin,  the  posterior 
spines  again  somewhat  shorter,  the  soft  portion  notably  higher  than 
the  spinous  part;  caudal  round;  anal  rather  long,  increasing  in  height 
posteriorly;  ventral  fins  close  together,  inserted  under  margin  of  pre- 
opercle;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  1.45  to  1.85  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish  above,  somewhat  paler  below,  with  or 
without  dark  cross-bars ;  a  few  faint  bluish  markings  behind  and 
below  eye;  a  small  dark  spot  on  membrane  at  upper  angle  of  gill- 
opening;  fins  uniform  brownish,  the  anal  darkest,  with  a  dark  intra- 
marginal  band;  a  dark  ocellus  between  the  i$th  and  i6th  spines  of 
dorsal  in  one  of  our  specimens,  wanting  in  the  others. 

This  species,  which  is  very  closely  related  to  L.  nuchipinnis  from  the 
Atlantic  coast,  is  represented  by  3  specimens,  115,  135  and  140  mm.  in 
length. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Chame  Point  and  Panama  City. 

258.  Genus  Malacoctenus  Gill. 

Malacoctenus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1860,  103  (type  Clinus 

delalandii  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

This  genus  appears  to  differ  from  Labrisomus  in  the  dentition, 
the  teeth  in  the  jaws  being  in  a  single  series ;  vomer  with  a  few  teeth 
or  none;  no  palatine  teeth. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.      Body  moderately  robust,  the  depth  3  to  3.8  in  length;  scales 
moderate,  49  to  52  in  lateral  series ;  dorsal  formula  XX,  9  or  10. 

delalandii,  p.  938. 

aa.     Body  less  robust,  the  depth  4.3  to  4.65  in  length ;  scales  some- 
what smaller,  56  to  60;  dorsal  formula  XX,  n  or  12. 

sonifer,  p.  940. 

688.  Malacoctenus    delalandii     (Cuvier    &    Valenciennes).    (Plate 

XCV,  fig.  i.) 
Clinus  delalandii  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

378  (Brazil) ;  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  264. 
Malacoctenus  delalandii  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1860,  103. 


w 

QHHE 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       939 

Malacoctenus  delalandi  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2358  (in  part). 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  3  to  3.8;  D.  XX,  9  or  10;  A.  II,  18  or  19; 
scales  49  to  52. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  moderate;  snout  rather  short, 
3  to  3.5  in  head;  eye  3  to  3.5;  mouth  rather  small,  terminal,  nearly 
horizontal;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye,  3  to  3.5  in 
head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series,  flattened  at  the  base,  pointed 
at  tips ;  vomer  with  a  patch  of  villiform  teeth ;  opercle  and  preopercle 
unarmed ;  gill-membranes  connected,  free  from  the  isthmus ;  lateral  line 
complete,  the  arched  portion  nearly  as  long  as  the  straight  part; 
anterior  nostril  and  upper  margin  of  eye  each  with  a  tuft  of  slender 
tentacles;  a  nuchal  comb  of  fine  tentacles  present;  scales  moderate, 
cycloid,  covering  entire  body,  except  head  and  a  portion  of  chest; 
dorsal  fin  very  long,  the  soft  part  higher  than  the  spines ;  caudal  fin 
round;  anal  fin  moderate,  the  tips  of  the  rays  fleshy  and  usually 
separate;  ventral  fins  close  together,  inserted  slightly  behind  posterior 
margin  of  preopercle,  with  a  spine  and  3  rays;  pectoral  fins  rather 
broad,  equal  to  length  of  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish;  sides  with  more  or  less  distinct  dark 
cross-bars  and  blotches;  some  specimens  much  more  uniform  in 
color  than  others;  opercle  with  an  indistinct  black  spot;  sides  of 
head  and  chin  more  or  less  distinctly  marked  with  dark  bars;  fins 
brownish,  of  nearly  uniform  color  in  some  specimens,  spotted  with 
dark  brown  in  others;  a  more  or  less  distinct  dark  spot  present  on 
anterior  part  of  spinous  dorsal.  The  following  color  description  we 
copy  from  our  field  notes:  "Upper  parts  of  body  brownish,  lower 
parts  pale  green;  sides  with  indistinct  vertical  bars;  lower  part  of 
sides  with  many  brown  markings.  Dorsal,  anal  and  caudal  greenish 
yellow,  with  many  brown  markings  which  sometimes  form  bars ;  margin 
of  anal  pink;  ventrals  pink;  pectorals  with  brown  bar  at  base,  then 
pale  green,  the  margin  reddish." 

This  species  appears  to  be  somewhat  less  common  than  Labrisomus 
nuchipinnis,  but  is  found  in  company  with  it.  We  have  22  specimens, 
ranging  from  47  to  59  mm.  in  length.  Females  taken  in  March  have 
the  ovaries  well  distended  with  eggs. 

The  range  of  this  species  appears  to  extend  from  Panama  to  Brazil. 
Our  specimens  are  from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 


940     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

689.  Malacoctenus  zonifer  (Jordan  &  Gilbert).    (Plate  XCV,  fig.  2.) 

Clinus  zonifer  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881,  361 

(Mazatlan). 
Malacoctenus  delalandi  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,   1898,  2358   (in  part,  not  of   Cuvier  &  Valenciennes)  ; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  189. 
Malacoctenus  delalandii  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,   Memoir.   Mus.   Comp. 

Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  151  (Perico  Island,  Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.65  to  3.8;  depth  4  to  4.3;  D.  XIX  or  XX,  n  or  12;  A.  II, 
19 ;  scales  54  to  57. 

A  specimen,  72  mm.  long,  was  taken  by  us  from  a  tide  pool  at 
Balboa  and  a  second  one,  46  mm.  in  length,  was  sent  by  Mr.  Robert 
Tweedlie.  We  have  also  examined  specimens  taken  by  the  Albatross  at 
Perico  Island.  Comparing  these  specimens  with  our  specimens  of 
M.  delalandii  from  the  Atlantic  coast,  we  find  that  the  body  of  M.  zonifer 
is  a  little  more  slender,  the  scales  a  little  smaller  and  the  dorsal  fin 
slightly  longer. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Balboa  and  Chame  Point. 


259.  Genus  Blennius  Linnaeus. 

Blennius  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  256  (type  Blennius  ocel- 

laris  Linnaeus). 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  short,  the  profile  usually  bluntly 
rounded;  mouth  small,  horizontal;  the  jaws  each  with  a  single  series 
of  long,  slender,  curved,  close-set,  immovable  teeth;  the  lower  jaw 
at  least  with  a  short,  stout,  fang-like  tooth  on  each  side;  gill-openings 
large,  the  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus  or  at  least  forming  a  fold 
across  it;  scales  wanting;  lateral  line  developed  anteriorly;  dorsal  fin 
entire  or  more  or  less  notched;  ventral  fins  well  developed,  with  I, 
3  rays. 

KEY   TO  THE   SPECIES. 

a.  Each  jaw  with  a  pair  of  strong  canines;  no  crest  at  nape; 
D.  XII,  21  or  22;  A.  23  or  24.  pilicornis,  p.  941. 

aa.  Canines  present  in  lower  jaw  only;  nape  with  a  longitudinal 
dermal  crest,  provided  with  about  20  filaments;  D.  XI,  16; 
A.  19.  cristatus,  p.  941. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       941 

690.  Blennius  pilicornis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes. 

Blennius  pilicornis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

254  (Rio  de  Janeiro)  ;  Castelnati,  Anim.  Nouv.  Rares  Amer.  Sud., 

1855,  25;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2380. 
Blennius  filicornis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  216. 

Head  4.75;  depth  5.2;  D.  XII,  21  or  22;  A.  23  or  24. 

Snout  obtuse,  its  upper  profile  very  oblique ;  interorbital  space  flat ; 
no  groove  or  crest  on  nape ;  a  strong,  curved  canine  in  each  jaw ;  orbital 
tentacle  long,  with  several  smaller  ones  at  base ;  dorsal  slightly  notched, 
separate  from  caudal. 

Color  brown;  cheeks  with  hexagonal  reticulations;  sides  of  body 
with  a  few  scattered  dark  dots ;  basal  portion  of  dorsal  and  anal  pale, 
both  fins  darker  distally ;  the  margin  of  anal  white. 

This  species  was  not  taken  at  Panama,  but  because  of  its  range 
it  falls  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work.  The  above  description 
was  compiled  from  published  accounts  of  the  species. 

Known  from  Florida  south  to  Brazil. 

691.  Blennius  cristatus  Linnaeus. 

Blennius  cristatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  I,  1758,  256  (Indies; 

after  Gronow) ;   Jordan   &   Evermann,   Bull.   U.    S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2382,  PI.  CCCXXXVIII,  fig.  821 ;  Starks,  Leland 

Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.  Ser.,   1913,  75    (Natal)  ;  Breder, 

Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  157  (Caledonia  Bay). 
Blennius  crinitus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

237  (La  Rochelle,  France). 
Blennius  nuchifilis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

253  (Isle  of  Ascension). 
Blennius  asterias  Goode  &  Bean,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  416 

(Garden  Key,  Florida). 

"Head  4 ;  depth  4 ;  D.  XI,  16;  A.  19 ;  maxillary  3.  Body  moderately 
elongate,  compressed;  the  head  very  blunt  and  deep,  almost  as  deep 
as  long,  its  anterior  profile  straight  or  slightly  concave,  and  nearly 
vertical.  Mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  reaching  past  front  of  eye; 
lower  jaw  with  2  short  stoutish  posterior  canines,  scarcely  longer  than 
the  front  teeth;  the  upper  jaw  without  canines.  Teeth  about  32/28. 
Preorbital  deep,  its  depth  equal  to  diameter  of  eye  and  contained 
4y2  times  in  length  of  head.  Interorbital  space  flat,  narrow,  ^  width  of 
eye.  Supraocular  cirri  small,  fringed,  their  length  about  equal  to  that  of 
pupil.  Nape  with  a  longitudinal  dermal  crest  reaching  to  front  of  dorsal, 


942     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

provided  with  a  series  of  about  20  filaments,  the  longest  about  as 
long  as  the  eye.  Gill  membranes  forming  a  broad  fold  across  the 
isthmus,  as  in  all  species  of  Blennius.  Dorsal  nearly  continuous,  the 
last  spine  a  little  lower  than  the  first  soft  ray,  not  very  high,  beginning 
on  the  nape  in  front  of  the  vertical  of  the  preopercle,  the  spines  all 
slender  and  flexible,  the  longest  y&  as  long  as  the  head,  the  longest 
soft  ray  4/7  as  long  as  head ;  caudal  free  from  dorsal  and  anal ;  ^  as 
long  as  head;  anal  moderate,  4/9  length  of  head;  pectoral  somewhat 
shorter  than  head ;  ventral  a  little  more  than  %  length  of  head.  Lateral 
line  forming  the  usual  arch  above  pectoral,  and  continued  backward  on 
median  line  to  base  of  caudal,  becoming  indistinct  posteriorly."  (Jor- 
dan &  Evermann.) 

The  color  is  variable.  "Some  of  them  are  uniform  dark  brown, 
nearly  black  above,  and  only  slightly  lighter  below,  while  no  cross 
bars  are  evident.  The  fins  are  all  nearly  black.  Others  are  very 
light  grayish  or  slate-color,  with  about  6  double  cross  bars  on  the  back 
and  side,  and  with  the  fins  light  or  slightly  dusky.  These  two  extremes 
merge  into  each  other,  and  all  of  the  intermediate  shades  of  color  are 
represented."  (Starks.) 

This  fish,  like  the  preceding,  was  not  seen  by  us.  It,  however,  has 
recently  been  recorded  by  Breder  from  Catelonia  Bay  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  Panama. 

Apparently  a  widely  distributed  species,  occurring  on  the  American 
coast  from  Florida  to  Brazil. 

260.  Genus  Hypsoblennius  Gill. 

HypsoUennius  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  Suppl.,  44  (type 

Blennius  hentz  Le  Sueur). 
Isesthes  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat  Mus.,  XVI,  1882  (1883), 

757  (type  Blennius  gentilis  Girard). 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  short;  snout  very  blunt;  mouth 
small,  horizontal;  teeth  in  each  jaw  in  a  single  close-set  series,  not 
movable,  no  canines ;  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  sides ;  gill-membranes 
fully  united  to  isthmus;  scales  entirely  wanting;  ventrals  with  I  short 
spine  and  3  simple  rays. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  continuous,  without  a  notch  between  the  spinous  and 
soft  parts,  the  spines  scarcely  distinguishable. 

b.  Caudal  fin  forked ;  dorsal  rays  33  or  34 ;  anal  rays  25  or  26. 

minutus  sp.  nov.,  p.  943. 
bb.     Caudal  fin  rounded. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       943 

c.  Dorsal  rays  28;  anal  19  or  20;  origin  of  dorsal  over  or  a  little 
behind  posterior  margin  of  eye.  striatus,  p.  944. 

cc.  Dorsal  rays  31  to  33;  anal  25  or  26;  origin  of  dorsal  over 
margin  of  preopercle.  piersoni,  p.  945. 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  with  a  more  or  less  evident  notch  between  the  spinous 
and  soft  parts. 

d.  Head  very  deep,  the  anterior  profile  steep;  dorsal  notch  very 
deep,  the  rays  XI,  n  or  12;  anal  15  or  16.     brevipinnis,  p.  946. 

dd.  Head  chubby,  anterior  profile  very  steep;  dorsal  notch  shallow, 
but  evident,  the  rays  XII,  14  to  17;  anal  17  to  19. 

lignus  sp.  nov.,  p.  946. 

692.  Hypsoblennius  minutus  sp.  nov.      (Plate  XCVI,  fig.  i.) 

Type  No.  81936,  U.S.N.M.;  length  32  mm.;  Chame  Point,  Panama. 

Head  4.85  to  5.4;  depth  5.75  to  6.4;  D.  33  or  34;  A.  25  or  26. 

Body  very  elongate,  slender,  compressed;  head  short,  rather  broad; 
snout  very  short,  less  than  half  the  length  of  eye;  eye  rather  large, 
2.2  to  2.65  in  head;  mouth  very  small,  slightly  inferior;  maxillary 
scarcely  reaching  past  anterior  margin  of  eye;  teeth  in  a  single  series, 
slightly  compressed ;  gill-openings  restricted  to  the  sides,  rather  large, 
notably  broader  than  base  of  pectoral,  the  membranes  fully  united 
with  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  anteriorly  prominent,  ending  a  little  in 
advance  of  tip  of  pectoral ;  scales  wanting ;  anterior  nostril  with  a 
dermal  flap  on  its  posterior  border ;  a  small,  multifid  tentacle,  half  the 
length  of  eye,  over  the  eyeball;  no  tentacles  at  nape;  dorsal  fin  very 
long,  the  spines  and  rays  indistinguishable,  and  of  about  even  height 
throughout,  its  origin  a  little  in  advance  of  margin  of  opercle;  caudal 
fin  short,  distinctly  forked ;  anal  fin  very  long  and  low ;  ventral  fins 
inserted  in  advance  of  pectorals,  with  3  distinct  rays;  pectoral  fins 
long,  pointed,  reaching  notably  beyond  origin  of  anal,  exceeding  the 
length  of  head. 

Color  in  specimens  at  hand,  probably  faded,  uniform  pale  yellowish ; 
a  dark  area  between  eyes  and  a  brownish  area  a  little  behind  interorbital ; 
an  indefinite  dark  band  along  margin  of  preopercle;  all  the  fins  except 
pectorals  pale;  4  or  5  series  of  black  spots,  composed  of  3  or  4  dots 
each,  placed  at  regular  intervals  at  base  of  dorsal  rays;  caudal  fin 
with  a  dark  vertical  bar  at  base ;  pectoral  fins  mostly  black,  the  exterior 
rays  pale  or  punctulate. 

This  species  is  represented  by  4  specimens,  ranging  from  27  to  33 
mm.  in  length,  collected  at  Chame  Point  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie.  We 
have  some  doubt  as  to  the  proper  generic  disposition  of  this  species, 


944     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

as  it  appears  to  mark  the  transition  from  Runula  to  Hypsoblennius. 
It  has  the  forked  caudal  of  Runula  but  the  3  distinct  articulate  ventral 
rays  of  Hypsoblennius. 

693.  Hypsoblennius  striatus  ( Steindachner) . 

Blennius   striatus    Steindachner,    (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,   LXXIV) 

Ichth.  Beitr.,  V,  1876,  15,  PI.  VIII,  fig.  4  (Panama). 
Isesthes  striatus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  II,  1882 

(1883),  in. 
Hypsoblennius  striatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2388;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  192  (Panama)  ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  412 

(Panama). 

Head  4  to  4.75;  depth  3.75  to  5.4;  D.  XII,  16;  A.  19  or  20. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  short  and  deep,  its  anterior  profile 
very  steep;  snout  short,  projecting  but  slightly  in  advance  of  forehead, 
2.5  to  2.75  in  head;  eye  moderate,  placed  high,  3.5  to  4.3  in  head; 
interorbital  less  than  half  the  width  of  eye;  mouth  small,  terminal; 
maxillary  failing  to  reach  eye,  2.8  to  3.65  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws 
more  or  less  flattened,  incisor-like,  close-set,  subequal,  no  canines; 
opercle  and  preopercle  unarmed ;  gill-membranes  broadly  united,  form- 
ing a  slight  fold  across  isthmus ;  gill-openings  restricted  to  sides ;  lateral 
line  extending  to  second  cross-bar,  absent  or  appearing  as  scattered 
pores  posteriorly;  a  tentacle  on  upper  margin  of  orbit,  varying  greatly 
in  length,  equal  to  length  of  pupil  in  some  specimens,  rarely  equal  to 
half  the  length  of  head;  scales  wanting;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  over 
or  a  little  behind  posterior  margin  of  eye,  the  spines  very  slender, 
flexible,  scarcely  distinct  from  the  soft  rays;  caudal  fin  round;  anal 
fin  about  three- fourths  the  length  of  the  dorsal;  ventral  fins  close 
together,  each  with  3  rays  and  a  hidden  spine;  pectoral  fins  broad, 
rounded,  1.05  to  1.25  in  head. 

Color  in  life  green;  back  with  about  5  dark  saddle-like  blotches; 
lower  part  of  side  with  narrow  vertical  lines;  caudal  peduncle  with 
dark  spots,  forming  more  or  less  distinct  longitudinal  lines;  opercle 
with  an  indistinct  blotch;  2  dark  bars  below  eye,  crossing  chin;  dorsal 
fin  anteriorly  with  a  dark  blotch  and  sometimes  with  a  more  or  less 
distinct  ocellus  between  the  first  and  second  spines,  the  distal  fourth 
and  occasionally  the  entire  fin  with  irregular  dark  markings ;  caudal  fin 
with  irregular  dark  markings,  at  least  at  base ;  anal  fin  green  at  base, 
becoming  dark  brown  distally,  the  margin  of  fin  pale,  in  some  specimens 
the  base  of  each  ray  with  a  black  spot;  ventrals  brownish,  with  the 


FIELD   MUSEUM   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY. 


ZOOLOGY,   VOL.   XV,    PL.   XCVI. 


FIG.  1.    HYPSOBLENNIUS  MINUTUS  sp.  nov. 

Drawn  from  the  type  32  mm.  in  length. 


**r; 


FIG.  2.    HYPSOBLENNIUS  LIGNUS  sp.  nov. 

From  the  type  60  mm.  in  lentgh. 


it  Of 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       945 

outer  margins  pale;  pectorals  plain  brownish  or  spotted,  with  narrow 
pale  margin. 

This  is  a  common  species  in  the  tide  pools  on  the  Pacific  coast  of 
Panama.  Over  100  specimens,  ranging  from  42  to  70  mm.  in  length, 
were  preserved. 

This  species  has  been  reported  only  from  the  Pacific  coast  of 
Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from  Chame  Point,  Balboa  and  Panama 
City. 

694.  Hypsoblennins  piersoni  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Hypsoblennius  piersoni  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  191,  PI.  XXXII,  fig.  60  (Panama). 

Head  4.5;  depth  5.15  to  5.7;  D.  X,  21  to  23;  A.  25  or  26. 

Body  compressed,  rather  slender;  head  short  and  deep,  its  anterior 
profile  nearly  vertical ;  snout  scarcely  in  advance  of  forehead,  3.5  to  4 
in  head ;  eye  large,  2.8  to  3.1 ;  interorbital  about  as  wide  as  pupil ;  mouth 
small,  terminal;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  vertical  from 
anterior  margin  of  pupil,  3.2  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  slightly 
flattened,  close-set,  lateral  teeth  in  lower  jaw  with  a  minute  backward 
projecting  hook,  no  canines;  opercle  and  preopercle  unarmed;  gill- 
openings  restricted  to  sides,  not  much  broader  than  base  of  pectoral; 
gill-membranes  joined  to  the  isthmus,  failing  to  form  a  fold  across  it; 
lateral  line  anteriorly  prominent,  ending  under  about  the  tenth  dorsal 
spine ;  posterior  nostril  with  a  bifurcate  tentacle ;  a  long  fringed  tentacle 
on  upper  margin  of  eye ;  scales  wanting ;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin  over 
margin  of  preopercle,  the  spines  slender,  flexible,  scarcely  distinct 
from  the  other  rays ;  caudal  fin  round ;  anal  fin  about  two-thirds  the 
length  of  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  small,  with  i  short,  hidden  spine  and  3  soft 
rays;  pectoral  fins  rather  broad,  1.2  to  1.35  in  head. 

Color  greenish ;  back  with  6  dark  bars ;  lower  part  of  sides  with 
irregular  dark  spots,  becoming  more  or  less  elongate  on  caudal  peduncle ; 
an  indistinct  dark  bar  below  eye,  crossing  chin ;  anterior  part  of  dorsal 
fin  with  a  black  blotch,  the  rest  of  fin  mostly  pale  green,  with  a  dusky 
margin ;  caudal  fin  irregularly  spotted  with  dark  spots ;  anal  fin  greenish, 
with  pale  margin  and  an  intramarginal  dark  bar;  ventral  fins  pale, 
pectorals  with  irregular  dusky  spots. 

We  have  only  2  specimens,  respectively  41  and  42  mm.  in  length. 
This  fish  was  first  reported  from  Panama  by  Gilbert  &  Starks  ( 1904) . 
It  appears  to  be  a  rare  species,  occurring  in  tide  pools. 

Known  only  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens  were 
taken  near  Balboa. 


946    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

695.  Hypsoblennius  brevipinnis  (Giinther). 

Blennius  brevipinnis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,   1861,  226 

(Pacific  coast  of  Central  America). 
Hypsoblennius  brevipinnis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2390;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  193  (Panama). 

Head  3.5  to  4.1 ;  depth  3.3  to  3.9;  D.  X  to  XII,  15  or  16;  A.  II, 
13  or  14. 

Body  rather  robust,  compressed;  head  very  short  and  deep,  its 
anterior  profile  very  steep ;  snout  not  much  in  advance  of  forehead,  2.5 
to  3.6  in  head;  eye  3  to  4;  mouth  small,  transverse,  reaching  opposite 
middle  of  eye,  2.2  to  2.8  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  prominent,  close-set, 
incisor-like,  no  canines ;  opercle  and  preopercle  unarmed ;  gill-opening 
rather  large,  notably  larger  than  base  of  pectoral;  the  gill-membranes 
united,  forming  a  distinct  fold  across  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  present 
anteriorly  only,  ending  in  advance  of  origin  of  soft  dorsal;  posterior 
nostril  with  a  broad  dermal  flap ;  a  rather  long  slender  tentacle  with  one 
or  two  very  short  branches  at  base  over  upper  margin  of  orbit;  scales 
wanting;  dorsal  fin  moderate,  its  origin  over  margin  of  preopercle,  a 
distinct  notch  between  the  spinous  and  soft  parts,  the  soft  part  being 
the  higher ;  caudal  fin  round ;  anal  fin  rather  short  and  low ;  ventral 
fins  inserted  slightly  in  advance  of  base  of  pectorals,  each  with  3  rays; 
pectoral  fins  round,  i  to  1.5  in  head. 

Color  brownish ;  a  more  or  less  continuous  dark  brown  lateral  band 
present,  broken  up  into  quadrate  spots  in  some  specimens;  back  with 
6  or  7  dark  bars,  these  not  evident  in  the  darkest  colored  specimens; 
a  more  or  less  distinct  dark  spot  a  short  distance  behind  eye;  fins  all 
uniform  light  brown,  except  the  anal  which  has  a  pale  margin  and  a 
narrow  black  intramarginal  bar. 

This  species  is  represented  by  72  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
15  to  55  mm.;  a  lot  of  45  of  these  was  sent  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie. 
Our  specimens  were  taken  from  old  submerged  wood,  in  which  they 
appear  to  inhabit  the  crevices,  and  the  burrows  of  the  ship  worm. 
When  this  habit  is  known  the  species  proves  to  be  rather  common. 

Known  from  Mazatlan,  Mexico,  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  were 
all  taken  at  Chame  Point. 

696.  Hypsoblennius  lignus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  XCVI,  fig.  2.) 

Type  No.  81937,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  60  mm. ;  Chame  Point,  Panama. 
Head  3.55  to  3.95;  depth  3.9  to  4.4;  D.  XII,  14  to  16;  A.  17  to  19. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       947 

Body  compressed,  rather  robust  anteriorly ;  head  short,  rather  broad, 
its  anterior  profile  convex;  snout  very  short  and  blunt,  3.75  in  head; 
eye  3  to  3.8;  interorbital  not  much  broader  than  pupil;  mouth  small, 
the  upper  jaw  slightly  projecting;  maxillary  reaching  to  or  a  little  past 
middle  of  eye,  2.65  to  2.9  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  compressed, 
incisor-like,  those  at  sides  directed  backward  at  tips ;  no  canines ;  opercle 
and  preopercle  unarmed ;  gill-opening  restricted  to  side,  not  much  wider 
than  base  of  pectoral ;  gill-membranes  joined  to  the  isthmus,  failing  to 
form  a  fold  across  it;  lateral  line  anteriorly  prominent,  with  2  rows  of 
large  pores,  ending  a  little  in  advance  of  soft  dorsal ;  head  above  and 
at  sides  with  numerous  large  pores;  anterior  nostril  with  a  short  tube, 
having  a  fringed  flap  posteriorly ;  upper  margin  of  orbit  with  a  multifid 
tentacle,  varying  greatly  in  length  among  individuals;  scales  wanting; 
dorsal  fin  with  a  slight  notch,  its  origin  over  or  slightly  behind  margin 
of  preopercle ;  caudal  fin  round ;  anal  fin  rather  small ;  ventral  fins 
inserted  much  in  advance  of  base  of  pectorals,  anterior  to  gill-openings, 
each  fin  with  3  branched  rays;  pectoral  fins  rather  short,  1.3  to  1.8 
in  head. 

Color  greenish  brown ;  sides  with  dark  cross-bars,  these  more  or  less 
broken  on  median  line  of  side,  extending  to  edge  of  abdomen  and  base 
of  anal,  at  least  in  young;  head  mainly  dusky,  with  or  without  dark 
points;  chin  with  about  3  dark  cross-bars;  dorsal  fin  pale  green, 
with  the  dark  bars  of  sides  extending  across  fin;  caudal  fin  plain 
translucent  or  more  or  less  dusky;  anal  fin  dusky,  with  a  dark  dot  at 
base  of  each  ray  in  young;  ventrals  pale  or  dusky;  pectorals  more  or 
less  greenish  dusky ;  all  fins  with  abruptly  pale  margins. 

This  species  is  represented  by  20  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
25  to  70  mm.  It  may  be  distinguished  from  related  species  by  the 
more  chubby  head  and  by  the  prominent  pores  on  head  and  nape.  The 
fin  counts  agree  fairly  well  with  those  of  H.  striatus  but  there  is  a 
slight  notch  between  the  spinous  and  soft  parts  of  the  dorsal,  the  spines 
being  very  distinct,  and  the  fin  is  inserted  a  little  farther  back. 

Our  specimens  are  all  from  Chame  Point.  They  were  taken  from 
old  submerged  wood  in  company  with  H.  brevipinnis.  A  single 
specimen  was  obtained  by  us,  the  others  were  sent  by  Mr.  Robert 
Tweedlie. 

261.  Genus  Homesthes  Gilbert. 

Homesthes  Gilbert,  in  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2394  (type  Homesthes  caulopus  Gilbert). 
Body  elongate;  head  short;  mouth  rather  large;  teeth  in  the  jaws 

in   a   single   close-set   series,  not  movable ;   no   canines ;   gill-openings 


948     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

restricted  to  the  sides;  scales  entirely  wanting;  ventral  fins  with   I 
spine  and  4  soft  rays.    A  single  species  is  known. 

699.  Homesthes  caulopus  Gilbert. 

Homesthes  caulopus  Gilbert,  in  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2394  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir. 

Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  194,  PL  XXXII,  fig.  61  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  3.65  to  4.2;  depth  4  to  4.55;  D.  XII,  15  or  16;  A.  II,  17. 

Body  robust,  moderately  compressed ;  head  heavy,  short ;  snout  very 
short,  scarcely  in  advance  of  forehead,  3.4  to  4.1 ;  eye  3.65  to  4.35 ; 
mouth  horizontal,  the  upper  jaw  in  advance  of  the  lower;  maxillary 
reaching  a  little  beyond  middle  of  eye,  2.6  to  2.9  in  head ;  teeth  in  each 
jaw  in  a  single  close-set  series,  more  or  less  incisor-like;  gill-openings 
restricted  to  the  sides,  not  much  longer  than  base  of  pectoral;  lateral 
line  strongly  developed  anteriorly,  abruptly  decurved  under  posterior 
third  of  spinous  dorsal,  from  thence  only  faintly  visible ;  anterior  nostril 
and  upper  margin  of  eye  each  with  a  tuft  of  tentacles;  nape  and  sides 
of  head  with  many  pores,  but  without  tentacles ;  scales  entirely  wanting ; 
dorsal  fin  long,  without  notch,  its  origin  over  margin  of  preopercle,  the 
soft  portion  of  fin  a  little  higher  than  the  spinous  part;  caudal  short, 
round ;  anal  with  2  spines,  each  spine  with  dermal  folds  at  tip ;  ventral 
fins  very  short;  pectoral  fins  broad,  with  round  margin,  1.5  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  dark  brown,  with  faint  dark  bars  on  upper  part  of 
sides;  a  black  blotch  on  side  of  head  behind  eye;  chin  with  3  more  or 
less  distinct  dark  bars;  fins  all  dark  brown;  median  part  of  anal 
blackish,  the  margin  white. 

This  species  is  known  only  from  Panama.  We  have  3  specimens, 
respectively  74,  78  and  79  mm.  in  length,  taken  in  tide  pools  at  Balboa. 

262.  Genus  Rupiscartes  Swainson. 

Rupiscartes  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  275   (type 
Salarias  alticus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes  =  Blennius  tridactylus  Bloch 
&  Schneider). 
Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  rather  short  and  deep;  teeth  in 

the  jaws  in  a  single  series,  one  or  both  jaws  with  a  pair  of  strong 

canines ;  vomer  toothless ;  scales  wanting ;  dorsal  fin  long,  without  deep 

indentation. 

698.  Rupiscartes  atlanticus  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 
Salarias  atlanticus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 
321  (Madeira;  Antilles). 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       949 

Rupiscartes  atlanticus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1888,  333;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,   Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus.,  XLVII,    1898,   2397,   PI. 

CCCXXXIX,  fig.  825;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci., 

IV,  1904,  194;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  (Colon). 
Blennius  atlanticus  Fowler,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1920  (1919),  226 

(Colon,  Panama;  Ascension  Island). 

Head  4.3;  depth  3.8;  D.  XII,  22;  A.  24. 

Body  rather  deep,  compressed;  head  short  and  deep,  with  anterior 
profile  vertical;  snout  very  short  and  blunt;  eye  moderate,  4  in  head; 
mouth  horizontal,  inferior;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of 
pupil,  2.7  in  head ;  teeth  on  the  margin  of  jaws  small,  movable,  close-set, 
compressed,  curved  inward  at  apeces ;  lower  jaw  with  2  strong  canines 
placed  well  behind  the  outer  series  of  teeth;  gill-membranes  connected, 
free  from  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  anteriorly  slightly  arched,  inter- 
rupted under  anterior  rays  of  soft  portion  of  dorsal,  reappearing  lower 
down  on  side  and  somewhat  in  advance  of  the  point  of  interruption; 
anterior  nostril  and  upper  margin  of  eyeball  each  with  a  fringed  tentacle ; 
sides  of  head  and  nape  with  numerous  pores;  scales  entirely  wanting; 
dorsal  fin  very  long,  continuous,  without  indentation;  its  origin  over 
margin  of  preopercle;  caudal  fin  round;  anal  fin  moderate,  similar  to 
posterior  part  of  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  small,  equal  to  length  of  postorbital 
part  of  head ;  pectoral  rather  large,  1.05  in  head. 

Color  uniform  brownish  above,  somewhat  paler  below;  sides  of 
head  behind  eye  with  a  black  spot;  fins  all  brownish.  Most  specimens 
are  said  to  have  5  or  6  dark  cross-bars  on  sides,  extending  on  the  dorsal 
fin.  These  bars  are,  however,  not  evident  on  the  specimen  at  hand. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  has  been  recorded  from  the 
Atlantic  from  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil  and  Ascension  Island,  and 
from  the  Pacific  from  Mazatlan  to  Guayaquil,  Ecuador,  and  Chatham 
Island.  It  is  here  described  from  a  single  specimen  130  mm.  long,  from 
the  U.  S.  National  Museum  collection,  taken  at  Mazatlan.  There 
appears  to  be  no  record  of  the  species  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama, 
but  the  species  is  included  because  it  has  been  found  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  Panama  and  at  localities  both  north  and  south  of  the  Isthmus 
on  the  Pacific  coast. 

263.  Genus  Salarichthys  Guichenot. 

Salarichthys  Guichenot,  Mem.  Soc.  Sci.  Nat.  Cherbourg,  XIII,  1867,  14 
(type  Salarias  vomerinus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes=5a/ana^  textilis 
Quoy  &  Gaimard). 


950    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  elongate ;  head  short ;  snout  blunt ;  mouth  rather  broad ;  teeth 
in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series ;  a  canine  on  the  mandible  posteriorly  on 
each  side  inside  of  the  marginal  teeth;  vomer  with  a  single  row  of 
conical  teeth;  cirri  present  at  the  anterior  nostril,  over  eye,  and  at 
nape;  scales  wanting;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched. 

699.  Salariohthys  textilis  (Quoy  &  Gaimard). 

Salarias  textilis  Quoy  &  Gaimard,  in  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist  Nat. 

Poiss.,  XI,  1836,  307  (Ascension  Island). 
Salarias  vomerinus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI,  1836, 

349  (Bahia). 
Salariichthys  textilis  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1890,  329;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2400;  Starks, 

Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.  Pub.,  Univ.   Ser.,   1913,  75    (Natal)  ; 

Breder,  Zoologica,  IV,  Pt.  4,  1925,  157  (Caledonia  Bay). 

Head  4.6;  depth  4.6;  D.  XII,  16;  A.  15. 

"The  head  is  short  and  steeply  declivous  in  front  of  the  eyes, 
descending  in  a  straight  line  at  an  angle  of  about  70  degrees.  The  top 
of  the  head  is  horizontal,  and  the  part  just  above  and  behind  the  eyes 
is  broadly  rounded.  The  mouth  is  inferior,  very  broad,  and  more 
transverse  than  lateral.  Its  greatest  width  is  equal  to  the  distance  of 
its  corner  from  the  edge  of  the  operculum  in  a  horizontal  line.  The 
teeth  on  the  jaws  are  very  fine,  in  a  single  row,  and  very  freely  movable. 
There  is  a  canine  on  each  side  of  the  mandible  a  considerable  distance 
inside  of  the  marginal  teeth,  its  length  is  about  a  third  of  the  diameter 
of  the  eye.  A  single  row  of  small  conical  teeth  is  on  the  vomer.  There 
is  a  multifid  barbel  at  the  anterior  nostril,  on  the  upper  part  of  each  eye- 
ball, and  a  short  simple  one  at  the  nape  about  one  diameter  of  the  eye  in 
front  of  the  dorsal.  The  spinous  dorsal  is  equal  in  length  to  the  soft 
dorsal,  and  the  spines  are  considerably  lower  than  the  longest  rays.  The 
membrane  of  the  anal  fin  is  deeply  incised,  and  the  posterior  rays  of 
both  the  anal  and  soft  dorsal  reach  to,  or  beyond,  the  base  of  the  caudal. 
The  pectoral  fin  reaches  to  opposite  the  front  of  the  anal.  The  caudal 
is  broadly  rounded  and  very  slightly  angulated  at  its  outer  rays." 
(Starks.) 

"Olive,  with  13  silvery  cross  streaks,  not  l/2  as  wide  as  the  dark 
interspaces,  some  of  the  cross  streaks  Y-shaped;  both  dorsals  with 
cross  markings,  the  second  with  12  or  13  streaks  of  dark  obliquely 
upward  and  backward,  alternately  with  similar  pale  streaks;  cross  bars 
on  sides  bent  in  middle,  extending  up  and  back  and  down  and  back 
from  middle  line  parallel  with  muscular  impressions;  sides  with  some 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       951 

obscure  pale  dots ;  caudal  barred  with  7  dark  bars ;  anal  darkest  mesially ; 
lower  side  of  head  with  dark  streaks  radiating  from  the  isthmus ;  bars 
at  chin  Y-shaped,  upper  part  of  head  with  darker  markings;  pectoral 
nearly  plain ;  a  dusky  area  at  base  below  which  •  is  a  dusky  spot ; 
marblings  at  base  of  dorsal."  (Jordan  &  Evermann.) 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  us.  It,  however,  has  recently  been  recorded 
by  Breeder  from  Caledonia  Bay  on  the  east  coast  of  the  Isthmus. 

Known  from  the  Bermudas,  the  West  Indies,  Caledonia  Bay,  and 
from  the  coast  of  Brazil. 

264.  Genus  Salarias  Cuvier. 

Salarias  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  I,  II,  1817,  251  (type  Salarias 
quadripennis  Cuvier). 

Scartes  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 
(1896),  471  (type  Salarias  rubropunctatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes; 
name  preoccupied). 

Scartichthys  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 
2395    (type  Salarias  rubropunctatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes ;  sub- 
stitute for  Scartes,  preoccupied). 
Body  elongate;  head  oblong,  compressed;  snout  blunt;  eyes  lateral, 

close  together ;  mouth  moderate,  the  upper  jaw  protruding ;  teeth  in  the 

jaws  in  a  single  series,  very  slender,  movable,  recurved;  no  canines; 

gill-opening  continuous  under  throat,  the  membranes  free   from  the 

isthmus;  scales  wanting;  dorsal  fin  with  or  without  a  notch;  ventral 

fins  with  3  simple  rays. 

700.  Salarias  rubropunctatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes. 

Salarias  rubropunctatus  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XI, 

1836,  348  (Juan  Fernandez)  ;  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill, 

1861,  249;  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882  (1883), 

628  (Panama). 
Scartichthys  rubropunctatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2396;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  194. 

"Head  4;  depth  4  (5  with  caudal)  ;  D.  XI-i6;  A.  20;  eye  4%  in 
head ;  teeth  less  flexible  than  in  Rupiscartes  atlanticus;  no  canine  teeth ; 
the  forehead  not  projecting  beyond  mouth;  a  very  small  tentacle  on  the 
neck,  a  longer  fringed  one  above  the  orbit;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched, 
not  extending  on  to  the  caudal. 

"Color  brown,  marbled  with  black,  and  dotted  with  reddish ;  a  black 
spot  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  dorsal;  throat  with  2  or  3  brownish 


952     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

cross  bands ;  a  jet-black  spot  behind  eye,  with  a  narrow  edge  posteriorly." 
(Jordan  &  Evermann.) 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  us.  It  was  once  recorded  from  Panama 
by  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Known  from  Panama  to  Chile. 

265.  Genus  Emblemaria  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Emblemaria  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882  (1883),  627 

(type  Emblemaria  nivipes  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  long,  slender,  compressed,  not  eel-shaped;  head  compressed; 
snout  more  or  less  acute;  jaws  with  an  outer  series  of  rather  strong 
teeth,  a  narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth  behind  this  series  in  anterior 
part  of  jaws ;  vomer  and  palatines  with  a  single  series  of  strong  teeth ; 
vomerine  and  palatine  teeth  separated  by  a  slight  interruption;  gill- 
membranes  united,  free  from  the  isthmus;  lateral  line  wanting;  no 
scales;  no  cirri  at  nape;  dorsal  fin  long,  continuous,  without  notch; 
ventrals  jugular,  with  I,  2  rays. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  anteriorly  notably  elevated,  the  anterior  spines 
filiform ;  dorsal  formula  XXIV,  12 ;  color  dark  brown,  with  8  to 
10  vertical  bars ;  caudal  fin  light  at  base,  its  tip  blackish. 

nivipes,  p.  952. 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  anteriorly  not  notably  elevated,  none  of  the  spines 
filiform;  dorsal  formula  XXVII,  n  ;  color  uniform  dark  brown, 
no  bars;  caudal  fin  pale  reddish  in  life,  simply  translucent  in 
spirits.  nigra  sp.  nov.,  p.  953. 

701.  Emblemaria  nivipes  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Emblemaria  nivipes  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,   1882 

(1883),  627  (Pearl  Islands,  near  Panama);  Jordan  &  Evermann, 

Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus.,  XLVII,    1898,  2402;   Gilbert  &  Starks, 

Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  194. 

Head  3.4;  depth  6.5;  D.  XXIV,  12;  A.  25. 

Body  elongate,  slender,  compressed;  head  rather  large,  compressed, 
wider  than  body;  snout  short,  rather  acute,  6  in  head;  eye  4;  mouth 
rather  large,  terminal,  horizontal;  maxillary  reaching  well  beyond  eye, 
2  in  head ;  jaws  with  an  outer  series  of  rather  strong  teeth,  a  narrow 
band  of  villiform  teeth  behind  this  series  on  anterior  part  of  jaws; 
vomer  and  palatines  with  a  series  of  strong  teeth ;  vomerine  and  palatine 
teeth  divided  by  a  slight  interruption ;  gill-membranes  united,  free  from 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       953 

the  isthmus ;  lateral  line  not  evident ;  anterior  nostril  with  a  rather  broad 
dermal  flap;  a  slender  tentacle  on  upper  margin  of  eyeball;  scales 
wanting ;  dorsal  fin  very  long,  the  anterior  portion  of  fin  high,  filiform ; 
the  posterior  rays  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  slightly  attached  to  base  of 
caudal;  caudal  fin  rather  short,  round;  anal  fin  long  and  low;  ventral 
fins  long  and  slender;  pectoral  fins  a  little  shorter  than  head. 

Color  dark  brown,  with  8  to  10  lighter  vertical  bars,  varying  in 
width;  under  parts  lighter;  lower  part  of  head  with  obscure  cross- 
bands;  dorsal  blackish  anteriorly,  whitish  behind,  the  membrane  at 
intervals  dusky;  caudal  light  at  base,  its  tip  blackish;  anal  dusky 
translucent ;  ventrals  bright  white,  the  basal  portion  dusky. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  apparently  is  recorded  only  from 
the  Pearl  Islands  near  Panama.  We  had  the  privilege  of  examining  the 
type,  a  specimen  of  48  mm.  in  length. 

702.  Emblemaria  nigra  sp.  nov.    (Plate  XCVII.) 

Type  No.  81920,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  42  mm. ;  Porto  Bello,  Panama. 

Head  4.1  to  4.2;  depth  7.5  to  8;  D.  XXVII,  n  ;  A.  26  or  27. 

Body  long,  slender,  compressed,  the  back  not  much  elevated ;  head 
rather  short,  heavy ;  snout  acute,  4.6  to  4.75  in  head  ;  eye  4.5  to  4.6 ;  mouth 
terminal,  nearly  horizontal ;  maxillary  reaching  a  little  beyond  posterior 
margin  of  eye,  2.15  to  2.25  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  anteriorly  in  rather 
broad  bands,  reduced  to  a  single  series  at  sides,  the  outer  series  some- 
what enlarged,  extending  backward  on  jaws  laterally;  vomer  and 
palatines  with  a  single  series  of  conical  teeth,  the  vomerine  and  palatine 
teeth  divided  by  a  slight  interruption ;  gill-membranes  united,  free  from 
the  isthmus;  lateral  line  wanting;  anterior  nostril  with  a  single  slender 
cirrus;  upper  margin  of  eyeball  with  a  broad  fringed  cirrus,  equal  to 
or  slightly  longer  than  eye;  scales  wanting;  dorsal  fin  very  long, 
continuous,  none  of  the  spines  filiform,  its  origin  in  advance  of  pre- 
opecular  margin,  with  notch  or  indentation,  the  spines  gradually  passing 
into  the  soft  rays;  the  posterior  rays  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  attached 
to  caudal  peduncle  by  membrane,  slightly  in  advance  of  base  of  caudal 
fin ;  caudal  fin  rather  short,  round ;  anal  fin  similar  in  shape  to  posterior 
part  of  dorsal,  without  distinct  spines ;  ventral  fins  inserted  in  advance 
of  pectorals,  short,  about  half  the  length  of  head;  pectoral  fins  rather 
short,  1.75  to  1.8  in  head. 

Color  in  life  uniform  dark  brown;  caudal,  the  posterior  part  of 
dorsal  and  anal,  and  pectorals  pale  reddish ;  fins  otherwise  black. 

This  species  is  represented  by  2  specimens,  42  and  43  mm.  in  length, 
taken  at  Porto  Bello. 


954    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Family  LXXXII.    Cerdalida. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  short;  gill-openings  reduced  to 
small  slits,  more  or  less  horizontal  in  position;  branchiostegals  prom- 
inent; pseudobranchise  well  developed;  scales  small,  rudimentary; 
lateral  line  wanting ;  dorsal  fin  very  long  and  low,  anteriorly  with  slender 
spines,  these  passing  gradually  into  the  soft  rays,  no  free  spines ;  ventral 
rays  I,  3;  no  cirri;  tail  not  isocercal. 

"The  presence  of  some  spines  in  the  dorsal  separates  them  from 
the  Scytalinida,  while  the  small  gill  openings  distinguish  them  from  the 
Blenniidce,  to  which  they  are  more  nearly  allied."  (Jordan  &  Evermann.) 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.       Body  very  elongate ;  vertebrae  about  58  to  63. 

Microdesmus,  p.  954. 
aa.     Body  much  less  elongate ;  vertebrae  about  43.         Cerdale,  p.  958. 

266.  Genus  Microdesmus  Giinther. 

Microdesmus   Giinther,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.    London,    1864,    26    (type 

Microdesmus  dipus  Giinther). 

Body  very  elongate,  slender;  vertebrae  numerous,  about  58  to  63; 
head  short ;  snout  obtuse ;  mouth  small ;  vertical  fins  well  developed,  the 
dorsal  and  anal  joined  to  the  caudal  by  a  membrane ;  ventral  fins  small, 
with  I,  3  rays;  pectorals  moderate;  vent  near  middle  of  body. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  rays  47  to  49;  anal  rays  30  or  31;  pectoral  rays  10; 
color  in  spirits  brownish,  upper  part  of  sides  with  2  rows  of 
brownish,  quadrate  spots.  retro pinnis,  p.  955. 

aa.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  longer;  the  dorsal  with  55  to  78  rays; 
anal  with  38  to  61  rays;  pectoral  rays  12;  color  uniform  pale 
olivaceous,  without  spots  or  other  markings. 

b.  The  tail  without  caudal  fin  shorter  than  rest  of  body,  its  length 
to  tip  of  caudal  fin  1.9  in  body;  snout  pointed;  lips  thin,  without 
definite  folds  or  ridges ;  D.  69 ;  A.  43 ;  head  10.3 ;  depth  17.8. 

affinissp.  nov.,  p.  955. 

bb.  Tail  without  caudal  fin  notably  longer  than  rest  of  body,  its 
length  to  tip  of  caudal  fin  1.45  to  1.6  in  body;  snout  broad, 
blunt ;  the  lips  thick,  with  evident  longitudinal  folds  or  ridges. 

c.  Dorsal  rays  55;  anal  rays  38;  body  slender,  the  depth  20.8; 
head  10.4.  dipus,  p.  956. 


<  £ 


"SH3AIHQ 
3H«  iO 


O.  ~Z 


C   E 
E 


II 


LJ      s 

s  I 


ft     \      r-  a 

1 1 3  i/ 


USIYERSU*  «»•  ILL 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       955 

cc.     Dorsal  rays  66  to  68 ;  anal  rays  45  to  52 ;  body  deeper,  the  depth 
13.4  to  16.5 ;  head  7.75  to  8.3.  intermedius  sp.  nov.,  p.  957. 

ccc.  Dorsal  rays  74  to  78 ;  anal  rays  55  to  61 ;  body  very  slender,  the 
depth  21. i  to  22.8;  head  10.1  to  11.85. 

multiradiatus  sp.  nov.,  p.  958. 

703.  Microdesmus  retropinnis  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 
Microdesmus  retropinnis  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm., 

I,  1881   (1882),  331   (Panama);  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2450;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 

Sci.,  IV,  1904,  195,  PI.  XXXI,  fig.  59  (Panama). 

Head  11.4  to  13.5;  depth  12  to  16.5;  D.  47  to  49;  A.  30  or  31. 

Body  very  elongate,  somewhat  compressed,  eel-shaped;  head  short, 
small,  tapering;  snout  very  short,  4.3  to  5.35  in  head;  eye  very  small, 
7.5  to  8.65 ;  mouth  small,  the  gape  scarcely  reaching  anterior  margin 
of  eye;  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting;  teeth  rather  strong,  conic, 
apparently  in  narrow  bands  in  each  jaw;  gill-opening  very  small, 
scarcely  as  long  as  snout;  scales  very  small;  dorsal  fin  long  and  low, 
scarcely  distinct  from  the  caudal,  its  origin  nearly  twice  the  length  of 
head  behind  head ;  caudal  fin  rounded,  as  long  as  head ;  anal  fin  similar 
to  dorsal,  but  only  a  little  more  than  half  as  long;  ventral  fins  small, 
inserted  at  the  throat  under  base  of  pectorals,  with  I,  3  rays;  pectoral 
fins  small,  2.3  to  3.25  in  head,  10  rays. 

Color  in  spirits  slightly  brownish  above,  pale  below;  upper  part 
of  sides  with  2  rows  of  quadrate  brownish  spots ;  the  spots  of  the 
upper  row  on  anterior  part  of  body  usually  united  on  the  median 
line  of  the  back  and  separated  from  the  succeeding  ones  by  pale 
cross-bars  formed  by  the  ground  color  of  the  body;  the  sides  of  head 
and  chin  indefinitely  spotted  with  brown;  the  spots  of  the  upper  row 
slightly  extended  on  the  base  of  the  dorsal  fin;  fins  otherwise  plain 
translucent. 

This  species  is  represented  by  3  specimens,  respectively  85,  99  and 
109  mm.  in  length,  collected  in  rocky  tide  pools. 

Known  only  from  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens  were  collected  at 
Chame  Point,  Balboa  and  Panama. 

704.  Microdesmus  affinis  sp.  nov.      (Plate  XCVIII,  fig.  i.) 

Type  No.  84300,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  105  mm.;  Chame  Point, 
Panama. 

Head  10.3 ;  depth  17.8 ;  D.  69 ;  A.  43. 


956     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  tail  rather  short,  its  length  to  tip 
of  caudal  fin  only  slightly  longer  than  rest  of  body,  i  .9  in  standard  length ; 
head  small ;  snout  pointed,  4.75  in  head ;  eye  minute,  placed  high,  lateral ; 
interorbital  space  narrow;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the  gape  reaching 
anterior  margin  of  eye;  the  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting,  hooked  at 
the  tip ;  the  lips  thin  and  without  definite  folds ;  teeth  apparently  placed 
as  in  related  species  but  not  quite  as  strong ;  gill-opening  a  little  longer 
than  width  of  base  of  pectoral;  scales  small,  embedded  and  not 
imbricated;  myomeres,  or  muscular  rings,  evident,  about  31  in  the  tail; 
dorsal  fin  long  and  low,  its  origin  over  tips  of  pectorals,  confluent  with 
the  base  of  upper  rays  of  caudal  fin;  caudal  fin  short,  rounded,  not 
more  than  $4  length  of  head ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal  but  shorter, 
confluent  with  the  caudal;  ventral  fins  small,  notably  shorter  than  the 
pectorals,  I,  3  rays;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  1.9  in  head,  rays  12. 

Color  of  preserved  specimen,  uniform  olivaceous;  the  caudal  fin 
slightly  dusky ;  other  fins  plain  translucent. 

A  single  specimen,  105  mm.  long,  forms  the  basis  for  the  above 
description  and  the  type  of  the  species.  This  species  is  related  to 
M .  intermedius,  from  which  it,  however,  differs  in  having  a  shorter  and 
narrower  head,  a  much  more  pointed  snout,  thinner  lips,  and  propor- 
tionately shorter  caudal  fin.  It  differs  notably  from  all  the  other 
species  of  the  genus,  except  M.  retropinnis,  in  the  short  tail,  which 
without  the  caudal  fin  is  shorter  than  the  rest  of  the  body.  From 
M .  retropinnis  it  is,  of  course,  readily  distinguished  by  the  more  numer- 
ous rays  in  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  and  by  the  color. 

The  single  specimen  was  taken  at  Chame  Point  by  Mr.  Robert 
Tweedlie. 

705.  Microdesmus  dipus  Giinther. 

Microdesmus  dipus  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,   1864,  26,  PL 

III,  fig.  2    (Central  America)  ;  Lockington,  Proc.  Ac.   Nat.   Sci. 

Phila.,   1881,    114    (La  Paz,  Lower  Cal.)  ;  Jordan   &   Evermann, 

Bull.  U.   S.  Nat.   Mus.,  XLVII,   1898,  2450;  Gilbert  &   Starks, 

Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  195. 

Head  10.4;  depth  20.8;  D.  55;  A.  38. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  the  tail  long,  its  length  to  tip  of  caudal  fin 
1 .6  in  standard  length ;  head  short ;  snout  very  short  and  rather  blunt,  4  in 
head ;  eye  very  small,  placed  high,  lateral ;  interorbital  rather  broad,  the 
space  between  the  eyes  about  equal  to  length  of  snout;  mouth  small, 
oblique,  the  gape  reaching  about  to  anterior  margin  of  eye;  the  lower 
jaw  projecting;  the  lips  fleshy,  with  long  longitudinal  folds;  teeth 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       957 

rather  strong,  as  in  M.  retropinnis;  gill-opening  not  much  longer  than 
width  of  base  of  pectoral;  scales  small,  embedded,  not  imbricated; 
myomeres,  or  muscular  rings,  evident,  about  33  in  the  tail;  dorsal  fin 
of  moderate  length,  confluent  with  the  caudal  fin,  its  origin  over  tips  of 
pectorals ;  caudal  fin  rather  long,  rounded,  nearly  as  long  as  head ;  anal 
fin  similar  to  dorsal  but  shorter,  confluent  with  the  caudal  fin;  ventral 
fins  small,  about  ^4  the  length  of  pectorals,  I,  3  rays;  pectoral  fins 
moderate,  1.8  in  head,  12  rays. 

Color  of  preserved  specimen  uniform  olivaceous;  the  caudal  fin 
dark  brown;  all  other  fins  plain  translucent. 

A  single  specimen,  115  mm.  long,  forms  the  basis  for  the  above 
description.  This  specimen  does  not  agree  in  all  details  with  the 
description  of  the  type  of  the  species,  but  these  differences  may  be  due 
to  individual  variation.  The  error  in  the  enumeration  of  the  ventral 
rays  in  the  type,  given  as  I,  has  already  been  pointed  out  by  Gilbert 
and  Starks. 

A  rare  species,  known  heretofore  only  from  the  type  from  Panama 
and  from  a  record  by  Lockington  from  La  Paz,  L.  C.  Our  specimen 
was  taken  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie  at  Chame  Point. 

706.  Microdesmus  intermedius  sp.  nov.    (Plate  XCVIII,  fig.  2.) 

Type  No.  84301,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  90  mm.;  Chame  Point, 
Panama. 

Head  7.75  to  8.3;  depth  13.4  to  16.5;  D.  66  to  68;  A.  45  to  52. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  the  tail  long,  its  length  to  tip  of  caudal 
1.45  to  1.5  in  standard  length ;  head  rather  larger  than  in  related  species ; 
snout  very  blunt,  4.25  to  5.75  in  head;  eye  minute,  placed  high;  inter- 
orbital  space  rather  broad,  not  quite  equal  to  length  of  snout;  mouth 
small,  quite  oblique,  the  gape  reaching  nearly  to  anterior  margin  of  eye ; 
the  lower  jaw  projecting;  lips  rather  thick,  with  longitudinal  fleshy 
folds ;  teeth  quite  strong,  as  in  M.  retropinnis;  gill-opening  a  little  longer 
than  width  of  base  of  pectoral ;  scales  small,  embedded ;  myomeres,  or 
muscular  rings,  evident,  35  to  38  in  tail;  dorsal  fin  long,  its  origin 
over  tips  of  pectorals,  confluent  with  the  base  of  caudal  rays;  caudal 
fin  rather  long,  not  much  shorter  than  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal 
but  shorter,  confluent  with  the  caudal  fin;  ventral  fins  quite  small, 
about  Ys  the  length  of  the  pectorals,  rays  I,  3;  pectoral  fins  moderate, 
1.7  to  2.5  in  head,  12  rays. 

Color  of  preserved  specimens  uniform  pale  olivaceous;  the  caudal 
fin  dusky ;  other  fins  plain  translucent. 


958     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

This  species  is  represented  by  3  specimens,  respectively  75,  90  and 
105  mm.  in  length.  It  differs  from  M.  dipus  in  having  a  somewhat 
deeper  body,  larger  head,  and  more  numerous  rays  in  the  dorsal  and 
anal  fins.  It  is  intermediate  between  M.  dipus  and  M.  multiradiatus  in 
the  number  of  dorsal  and  anal  rays. 

The  specimens  of  this  new  form  were  all  collected  at  Chame  Point 
by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie. 

707.  Microdesmus  multiradiatus  sp.  nov.  ( Plate  XCVIII,  fig.  3.) 

Type  No.  82682,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  200  mm.;  Chame  Point, 
Panama. 

Head  10.1  to  11.85;  depth  21.1  to  22.8;  D.  74  to  78;  A.  55  to  61. 

Body  slender,  compressed,  eel-shaped;  the  tail  very  long,  its  length 
to  tip  of  caudal  fin  1.45  to  1.5  in  standard  length ;  head  short ;  snout  very 
short  and  blunt,  3.75  to  4.55  in  head ;  eye  very  small,  placed  high,  about 
22  in  head;  mouth  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  broad,  projecting;  the  gape 
not  quite  reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye;  the  lips  with  fleshy  folds; 
teeth  rather  strong,  apparently  in  narrow  bands;  gill-opening  small, 
scarcely  as  long  as  snout;  scales  small,  not  imbricated;  myomeres 
prominent,  40  to  43  in  the  tail ;  dorsal  fin  long  and  low,  confluent  with 
the  caudal,  its  origin  over  tips  of  pectorals;  caudal  fin  round  or 
slightly  pointed,  about  as  long  as  head ;  anal  fin  scarcely  as  high  as  the 
dorsal,  confluent  with  the  caudal  fin  at  base ;  ventral  fins  small,  shorter 
than  pectorals,  inserted  under  base  of  pectorals,  I,  3  rays ;  pectoral  fins 
short,  1.7  to  2.45  in  head,  12  rays. 

Color  uniform  olivaceous  or  brown;  the  caudal  fin  often  slightly 
dusky. 

This  species  is  represented  by  34  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
85  to  210  mm.  The  species  differs  from  the  other  forms  in  the  more 
slender  body  and  more  numerous  rays  in  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins.  The 
difference  in  depth  is  most  noticeable  in  the  caudal  portion  of  the  body. 

The  specimens  at  hand  were  all  collected  at  Chame  Point  by  Mr. 
Robert  Tweedlie. 

267.  Genus  Cerdale  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Cerdale  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  I,  1881  (1882),  332 

(type  Cerdale  ionthas  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

This  genus  differs  from  Microdesmus  only  in  the  much  shorter 
body  and  fewer  vertebrae,  which  number  about  43.  A  single  species  of 
the  genus  is  known. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       959 

708.  Cerdale  ionthas  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Cerdale  ionthas  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  I,  1881 

(1882),  332  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2449;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  196,  PI.  XXXI,  fig.  58  (Panama). 

Head  7;  depth  8.15;  D.  44;  A.  29. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed ;  head  short ;  snout  blunt,  5.6 
in  head;  eye  7;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  strongly  projecting; 
teeth  present  on  jaws,  more  or  less  definitely  in  2  series  on  each  jaw; 
scales  small,  covering  body  and  head ;  vent  situated  a  little  nearer  tip  of 
snout  than  base  of  caudal ;  dorsal  fin  long,  continuous,  its  origin  a  little  in 
advance  of  tip  of  pectorals,  separate  from  the  caudal ;  caudal  fin  slightly 
rounded,  shorter  than  head;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  but  shorter, 
its  origin  somewhat  in  advance  of  the  vertical  from  middle  of  dorsal; 
ventral  fins  small,  I,  3  rays,  inserted  below  base  of  pectorals,  their  length 
equal  to  length  of  snout  and  eye;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  inserted  just 
above  and  behind  the  very  small  gill-opening,  1.75  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish  above,  pale  below;  the  head  and  sides 
with  small  dark  brown  spots,  these  forming  indefinite  cross-bars  on 
chin;  the  dorsal  fin  with  small  brown  spots;  other  fins  unmarked. 

A  single  specimen  56  mm.  long  was  taken  from  a  tide  pool  on 
Panama  Reef.  Prof.  Gilbert  and  associates  secured  18  specimens  on 
Panama  Reef  in  1896.  A  few  mistakes  which  appeared  in  the  original 
and  subsequent  descriptions  were  corrected  by  Gilbert  &  Starks. 

Known  only  from  Panama  Reef.  Our  specimen  is  from  a  rocky 
pool  near  Panama  . 

Family  LXXXIII.    Ophidiidae. 

THE  CUSK  EELS. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  more  or  less  eel-shaped;  head  large; 
lower  jaw  included ;  both  jaws,  and  usually  vomer  and  palatines,  with 
villiform  or  cardiform  teeth;  premaxillaries  protractile;  gill-openings 
wide,  the  membranes  separate,  anteriorly  narrowly  joined  to  the  isthmus 
behind  ventrals ;  pseudobranchiae  small ;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth ; 
scales  small,  covering  body,  and  occasionally  the  head;  air  bladder  and 
pyloric  caeca  present ;  vertical  fins  low,  without  spines,  confluent  around 
the  tail;  tail  isocercal;  ventral  fins  at  the  throat,  each  developed  as  a 
long,  forked  barbel.  Two  genera  of  this  family  come  within  the  scope 
of  the  present  work. 


960    FIELB  MUSEUM  OP  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 


KEY  TO  THE  GBMIEEA. 


Head  scaly,  at  least  above;  scales  wefl  developed,  imbricated; 
snout  usually  with  a  spine  at  tip.  Lepoptudixm,  p.  960. 

Head  scaleless;  scales  on  body  rudimentary,  scarcely  imbricate; 

operde  ^nHing  in  a.  -')«IMII^  concealed  m  t"^  skin. 


268.  Genus  Lepophidin  GOT. 

Leplof*ad**m   GSL,   Proc.   Ac.   Nat.    Sci    Phuau,    1863,   210    (type 

Ltptoplndnum,  prcfmdormm  Gd31;  name  preoccupied  in  reptiles). 
Ltpopkidimm  GST,  Amer.  Naturalist,  XXIX,  1895,  167  (type  Lepto- 

fkuKmm   pnfmmdom    GaR;    substitute    for    Ltftophidium,    pre- 

occupied). 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  the  back  somewhat  elevated,  slowly 
decreasing  in  height  backwaid  to  the  point  of  tail;  head  rather  large; 
snoot  prominent,  usually  armed  with  a  spine  or  hook  anteriorly  (absent 
in  one  species)  ;  teeth  present  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines  ;  scales  small, 
imbricated,  wilh  radiating  stria?,  extending  forward  on  head  and  checks  ; 
dorsal  and  anal  coaflnent  aroond  the  tail;  veiitral  fins  attached  to  ibioaL 
A.  smgle  species  is  represented  in  the  Panama  collection,  lafcm  at  Balboa 
on  the  Pacific  coast.  Another  species,  which  is  so  imperf  eddy  described 
that  we  win  not  alien  upt  to  give  its  relationship,  may  be  expected  on  the 
Atlantic  coast.* 


7ML  IipupfcMiMi  prorates  (Jordan  &  BoDman). 

Lfpapkidmm  prorates  Jordan  &  Bolhnan,  Proc.  U.  S  Mat.  Mas.,  1889, 

172  (Panama). 
Lffofissdhnm  prorates  Jordan  &  Evermamn,  Butt.  U.  S.  Mat.  Mns., 

XLVII,  1898,  2485;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  CaL  Ac.  Sci,  IV, 

1904,1961 

Head  49;  depth  ftg;  scales  about  200. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed;  the  tail  very  long,  tapering, 
approximately  twice  as  long  as  rest  of  body;  head  nearly  as  broad  as 
deep;  snout  projecting,  with  a  wefl  developed  spine  directed  forward  at 
tip,  4  in  head;  eye  4JD5;  interorhital  6.3;  month  large,  horizontal; 
maadQarr  reaching  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.35  in  head ; 
teeth  in  hands,  present  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines,  rather  binntry 
pointed,  those  on  vomer  and  pabtinrs  more  so  than  the  jaw  teeth; 
gill-rakers  rather  short  and  slender,  4  developed  on  lower  fimb  of  first 
arch;  scales  small,  sti'ialcd,  somewhat  covered  wilh  skin,  present  on 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHBS  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       961 

postorbital  part  of  head  and  cheeks;  lateral  line  present,  running  high; 
dorsal  and  anal  rather  low,  confluent  around  the  tail;  origin  of  dorsal 
over  middle  of  pectorals ;  ventral  fins  inserted  under  chin,  consisting  of 
2  filaments  each ;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  2.2  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish  above,  pale  below;  dorsal  and  anal  fins 
pale  at  base,  with  a  broad  black  border;  pectorals  and  ventrals  plain. 

A  single  specimen,  150  mm.  length,  is  represented  in  the  Panama 
collection.  This  species  was  previously  known  only  from  the  type  and  co- 
types. 

Recorded  only  from  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimen  is  from  Balboa. 

710.  Lepophidium  brevibarbe  (Cuvier). 

Ophidian  brevibarbe  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  II,  II,    1829,  358 

(Brazil). 
Lepophidium  brevibarbe  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2485. 

This  species  is  imperfectly  described  and  its  relationship  is  not 
understood,  but  it  is  probably  close  to  L.  prorates. 

A  short  decurved  spine  on  the  point  of  the  snout  Teeth  strong; 
occiput  and  gill-covers  scaly.  Vertical  fins  edged  with  black.  (Kaup.) 
Air  bladder  oblong  ovate,  without  contracted  portion  and  without  pos- 
terior foramen;  no  single  anterior  bone,  replaced  by  a  cartilage. 
(Muller.) 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  us.  It  is  recorded  from  the  West  Indies 
and  Brazil,  therefore  falling  within  the  range  of  the  present  work. 

269.  Genus  Otophidium  Gill. 
Otophidium  Gill,  in  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIII,  1885  (1887), 

914  (type  Genypterus  omostignta  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  teeth  villifonn  on  jaws, 
those  of  the  outer  series  more  or  less  enlarged,  none  of  them  movable; 
teeth  on  vomer  and  palatines  bluntish,  some  of  them  enlarged;  scales 
small,  usually  not  imbricated,  but  arranged  in  short,  oblique  series, 
often  placed  at  right  angles  to  each  other ;  head  naked ;  opercle  ending  in 
a  concealed  spine ;  sometimes  a  distinct  spine  at  tip  of  snout ;  air  bladder 
short,  thick  and  with  a  large  foramen.  A  single  species  of  the  genus, 
although  not  obtained  by  us,  falls  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

718.  Otophidium  indefatigabile  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Otophidium  indefatigabile  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
1889,  172  (Indefatigable  Island,  Galapagos  Archipelago)  ;  Gilbert, 
Proc.  U.  S.  Nat  Mus.,  1890,  453  (Panama  Bay,  Albatross  Station 


962     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

2797)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2490. 

"Head  4^5  (4^  in  total)  ;  depth  5%  (5  6/7)  ;  eye  large,  3  in  head ; 
snout  4.  Body  rather  short,  compressed,  width  of  nape  2j4  in  head. 
Mouth  large ;  maxillary  reaching  to  opposite  posterior  margin  of  pupil, 
T.y$  in  head;  outer  row  of  teeth  of  each  jaw  very  slightly  enlarged. 
Interorbital  space  2  in  eye;  interorbital  area  with  a  thin  crest  under 
skin,  this  ending  in  two  compressed  spines,  I  turning  forward,  the 
other  backward  over  front  of  eye,  these  spines  concealed  by  the  skin. 
Gill  rakers  short  and  thick,  less  than  y2  pupil,  4  developed.  Dorsal 
beginning  at  end  of  anterior  third  of  pectorals,  longest  ray  3^  in 
head;  pectorals  2  in  head;  inner  ventral  filament  longest,  2  in  head. 
Air  bladder  short  and  thick,  with  a  foramen.  Scales  very  small,  more 
or  less  imbricated  on  body;  head  naked.  Opercle  with  a  sharp,  partly 
concealed  spine.  Pseudobranchiae  present.  Color  pale  yellowish  brown, 
silvery  on  belly  and  sides  of  head ;  back  with  about  12  irregular  dark 
cross  bands,  the  alternate  ones  being  narrower  and  broken  up  into 
spots,  2  before  dorsal;  a  few  scattered  spots  about  as  large  as  pupil 
on  sides,  these  most  distinct  about  the  shoulder;  dorsal  pale,  first  rays 
black,  and  with  3  or  4  other  black  blotches  on  upper  part;  anal  black, 
margined  with  white ;  pectorals  pale,  axil  dusky ;  caudal  and  posterior 
part  of  anal  pale;  chin  pale."  (Jordan  &  Evermann.) 

This  fish  was  not  seen  by  us.  It  was  once  recorded  from  Panama 
Bay. 

Known  from  Panama  Bay  and  the  Galapagos  Archipelago. 

Family  LXXXIV.  Carapid*.* 

THE  PEARL-FISHES. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  tapering  into  a  long  slender  tail ;  mouth 
rather  large,  the  lower  jaw  included;  teeth  rather  strong,  present  on 
both  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines ;  gill-membranes  little  or  not  at  all  united, 
free  from  the  isthmus;  vent  at  the  throat;  dorsal  and  anal  very  low; 
pectoral  fins  present  or  absent ;  ventral  fins  wanting.  The  small  eel-like 
fishes  of  this  family  are  not  well  known.  The  name  pearl  fishes  origi- 
nated from  the  fact  that  some  of  the  species,  at  least,  live  in  shells  of 
mollusks,  echinoderms,  etc.  A  valve  of  a  pearl  oyster  in  the  Museum  of 
Comparative  Zoology,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  for  example,  is  reported  to 

*This  family  is  given  under  the  name  Fierasferida  in  the  "Key  to  the 
Families"  in  Part  I,  p.  26,  of  the  present  work. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       963 

have  a  specimen  of  Campus  dubius  beautifully  enclosed  in  a  pearly 
covering,  deposited  by  the  oyster. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Body  moderately  robust,  nearly  or  quite  as  deep  as  head;  no 
spinous  filament  at  nape.  Carapus,  p.  963. 

aa.  Body  very  slender,  not  nearly  as  deep  as  head ;  a  spinous  filament 
at  nape.  Leptofierasfer  gen  nov.,  p.  964. 

270.  Genus  Carapus  Rafinesque. 

Carapus  Rafinesque,  Ind.  d'ltt.  Sicil.,  etc.,  1810,  37,  57  (type  Gymnotus 

acus  Linnaeus,  as  approved  by  Intern.  Comm.  Zool.  Nomenc.). 
Fierasfer  Cuvier,  Mem.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  I,  1815,  119,  312,  359 

(type  Ophidian  imberbe  Linnseus). 
Echiodon  Thompson,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1837,  55  (type  Echiodon 

drumnwndii  Thompson). 
Diaphasia  Lowe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1843,  92   (tyPe  Gymnotus 

acus  Briinnich). 
Oxybeles  Richardson,  Voy.  Erebus  &  Terror,  Ichth.,   1844,  74  (tvPe 

Oxybeles  homei  Richardson). 
Porobronchus  Kaup,  Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.,  Ser.  3,  VI,  1860,  272 

(type  Porobronchus  linearis  Kaup). 
Vexillifer  Gasco,  Bull.  Assoc.  Nat.  Med.  Napol.,  1870,  59  (type  Vexil- 

lifer  dephilippii  Gasco). 
Lefroyia  Jones,  Zoologist,  II,  1874,  3837  (type  Lefroyia  bermudensis 

Jones) . 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  with  a  long  slender  tail ;  vent  at  throat ; 
gill-membranes  little  connected  or  separate ;  no  evident  caudal  fin ;  no 
filament  at  nape. 

712.  Carapus  dubius  (Putnam). 

Fierasfer  dubius  Putnam,  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  XVI,  1873-4 

(1874),  344  (Pearl  Islands);  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 

Sci.,  IV,  1904,  197  (Panama  Bay). 
Fierasfer  affinis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2495. 

Head  7.5  to  9.1 ;  depth  10  to  14.5. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed;  the  tail  long,  tapering  to  a 
sharp  point;  head  rather  large,  not  deeper  than  body;  snout  blunt, 
4.2  to  6.2  in  head ;  eye  3.2  to  4.15  ;  mouth  large,  a  little  oblique ;  maxillary 
reaching  beyond  eye,  1.5  to  1.95  in  head;  teeth  in  the  jaws  and  on 


964    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

palatines  in  bands,  some  of  the  anterior  teeth  in  upper  jaw  enlarged, 
some  of  the  lateral  teeth  in  lower  jaw  enlarged,  canine-like,  bent  back- 
ward ;  vomer  with  a  median  row  of  enlarged  teeth  surrounded  by  small 
villif  orm  teeth ;  gill-membranes  slightly  connected ;  vent  at  throat ;  dorsal 
very  low,  somewhat  lower  than  anal,  its  origin  about  twice  the  length  of 
head  behind  tip  of  snout;  no  distinct  caudal  fin;  origin  of  anal  under 
base  of  pectorals;  ventral  fins  wanting;  pectoral  fins  well  developed, 
pointed,  1.45  to  2  in  head. 

Color  of  preserved  specimens  uniform  light  brown. 

This  form  was  not  taken  by  us,  but  it  is  recorded  from  Panama 
Bay  by  Gilbert  &  Starks.  The  species  was  originally  described  from 
the  Pearl  Islands  near  Panama.  The  above  description  is  based  on  7 
specimens  in  the  National  Museum,  ranging  in  length  from  73  to  no  mm. 
Two  of  the  specimens  at  hand  are  from  the  Pacific  coast,  from  Colima, 
Mexico,  the  others  are  from  the  Atlantic,  from  the  Bahama  Islands, 
Porto  Rico  and  Cuba.  We  are  unable,  with  the  meager  material  at  hand 
(the  specimens  from  the  Pacific  being  poorly  preserved),  to  determine' 
definitely  whether  or  not  the  representatives  from  the  opposite  coast  are 
identical,  but  the  mouth  in  the  Pacific  coast  specimens  appears  to  be  a 
little  larger  and  the  teeth  on  the  vomer  smaller. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama  Bay  on  the  Pacific  coast 
and  on  the  Atlantic  from  Florida,  Bermuda,  Bahamas  and  the  West 
Indies.  It  has  not  as  yet  been  found  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama. 

271.  Genus  Leptofierasfer  gen.  nov. 

Type  Leptofierasfer  macrurus  sp.  nov. 

Body  extremely  slender,  compressed;  the  tail  long,  filamentous; 
head  short,  strongly  compressed ;  gill-membranes  separate ;  a  prominent 
spinous  filament  inserted  at  nape. 

713.  Leptofierasfer  macrurus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  XCIX,  fig.  i.) 

Type  No.  82685,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  95  mm. ;  Chame  Point,  Panama. 

Head  21  to  27  in  total  length;  depth  of  head  30  to  38. 

Body  very  slender,  compressed,  with  a  long,  slender,  filamentous 

tail;  head  deeper  than  rest  of  body,  strongly  compressed;  snout  blunt, 

projecting  slightly   beyond  the  mouth,   3   to   4.7   in  head;   eye  well 

developed,  as  long  as  snout ;  mouth  oblique ;  maxillary  reaching  slightly 

beyond  middle  of  eye,  1.8  to  2.2  in  head;  gill-membranes  apparently 

separate  and  free  from  the  isthmus;  branchiostegals  5  or  6;  a  long 

slender  filament,  longer  than  the  head,  on  nape,  inserted  slightly  behind 


1 


If 

UJ     - 


THE  MBBAKV 

Of  IHE 
UKiVEUsiir  ur  ILLINOIS 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       965 

vertical  from  base  of  pectorals,  preceded  by  a  median  groove ;  vent 
at  throat;  exact  origin  of  dorsal  indistinct,  beginning  at  a  point  about 
twice  the  length  of  head  from  occiput ;  anal  fin  beginning  a  little  behind 
tips  of  pectorals,  a  little  higher  and  more  distinct  than  the  dorsal,  the 
fins  becoming  indistinct  on  the  long  filamentous  -caudal ;  pectoral  fins 
close  behind  gill-openings,  not  much  longer  than  the  snout. 

Color  of  preserved  specimens  uniform  pale. 

There  are  4  specimens  of  this  species  at  hand,  ranging  from  85  to 
no  mm.  in  length,  collected  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie  at  Chame  Point, 
and  they  appear  to  represent  a  new  genus  and  species.  The  body  is 
much  more  slender  than  it  is  in  the  other  forms  of  the  family,  the 
head  is  short  and  more  strongly  compressed,  teeth  appear  to  be  wanting 
in  the  jaws  and  on  vomer,  the  tail  is  filamentous  and  there  is  a  long 
filament  present  at  the  nape.  The  filament  at  the  nape  is  easily  broken, 
and  it  is  lost  from  3  of  our  specimens,  only  the  base  remaining. 

Family  LXXXV.    Brotulid*. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  regularly  tapering  posteriorly;  tail  usu- 
ally not  isocercal;  vent  submedian;  gill-openings  very  large,  the  mem- 
branes mostly  free  from  the  isthmus ;  scales  small,  more  or  less  embedded ; 
vertical  fins  united  or  contiguous  at  base  of  caudal ;  the  origin  of  dorsal 
not  far  behind  nape ;  ventral  fins  small,  few  rayed,  attached  to  humeral 
arch,  somewhat  in  advance  of  pectorals.  Most  of  the  representatives 
of  this  family  live  in  the  deep  sea.  A  few  of  the  species  have  degen- 
erated into  blind  cave  fishes  and  several  are  occasionally  found  along 
the  sea  shores.  The  Panama  collection  contains  2  genera  and  3  species. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA.     . 

a.       Caudal  fin  differentiated,  on  a  distinct  caudal  peduncle. 

Ogilbia,  p.  965. 

aa.     Caudal  fin  confluent  with  the  dorsal  and  anal,  no  distinct  caudal 
peduncle.  Pseudobythites  gen.  nov.,  p.  968. 

272.  Genus  Ogilbia  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Ogilbia  Jordan  &  Evermann,  in  Evermann  &  Kendall,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish 
Comm.,  XVII,  1897  (1898),  132  (type  Ogilbia  cayorum  Evermann 
&  Kendall). 
Body  moderately  elongate ;  opercle  with  a  single  flat  spine ;  preopercle 

unarmed;  no  barbels  or  cilia  present;  teeth  pointed,  in  bands  on  jaws, 


966     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

vomer  and  palatines;  scales  small,  embedded,  covering  body  and  sides 
of  head ;  caudal  fin  free  from  the  dorsal  and  anal ;  ventral  fins  inserted 
in  advance  of  pectorals,  composed  of  two  slender  filaments. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Scales  very  small,  obscure,  about  no  in  lateral  series;  snout 

short,  4.4  to  5.5  in  head.  '  ventralis,  p.  966. 

aa.  Scales  somewhat  larger  and  more  distinct,  about  90  in  lateral 

series ;  snout  longer,  4  in  head.  cayorum,  p.  967. 

714.  Ogilbia  ventralis  (Gill). 

Brosinophycis  ventralis  Gill,   Proc.  Ac.   Nat.   Sci.   Phila.,   1863,  253 

(Cape  San  Lucas). 
Dinematichthys  ventralis  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895, 

502,  PI.  LIV. 
Ogilbia  ventralis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2503,  PI.  CCCLV,  fig.  872 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal. 

Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  197  (Panama). 

Head  4.1  to  4.35 ;  depth  5  to  5.65 ;  D.  62  to  75 ;  A.  48  to  60;  scales 
about  no. 

Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head  moderate ;  snout  blunt,  4.4  to 
5.5  in  head;  eye  small,  8.7  to  10.5;  interorbital  convex,  4.6  to  6.5; 
mouth  rather  large,  terminal,  nearly  horizontal;  maxillary  reaching 
far  beyond  eye,  1.8  to  1.9  in  head;  tip  of  snout  and  tip  of  lower  jaw 
with  prominent  dermal  ridges ;  teeth  pointed,  present  on  jaws,  vomer 
and  palatines ;  opercle  with  a  single  flat  spine,  placed  a  little  above 
level  of  eye;  gill-rakers  poorly  developed,  represented  by  3  tubercles 
on  the  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  very  small,  embedded,  very 
difficult  to  enumerate,  covering  entire  body  and  sides  of  head ;  lateral 
line  obsolete;  dorsal  fin  long,  continuous,  its  origin  a  little  behind 
base  of  pectorals ;  caudal  fin  entirely  distinct  from  dorsal  and  anal, 
rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal  but  shorter,  its  origin  equidistant 
from  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal;  ventral  fins  composed  of  2 
slender  rays,  inserted  close  together  under  margin  of  preopercle ; 
pectoral  fins  rather  short,  rounded,  1.8  to  2  in  head. 

Color  in  spirits  plain  brownish  above,  paler  below ;  dorsal  and 
caudal  brownish  at  base,  the  fins  otherwise  pale. 

The  present  collection  contains  3  specimens,  respectively  50,  50  and 
61  mm.  in  length,  taken  on  rocky  bottom. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from  near 
Balboa. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       967 

715.  Ogilbia  cayorum  Evermann  &  Kendall. 

Ogilbia  cayorum  Evermann  &  Kendall,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XVII, 
1897  (1898),  133,  PI.  IX,  fig.  14  (Key  West,  Fla.)  ;  Jordan  & 
Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2503,  PI.  CCCLV, 
fig.  873;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1916,  405  (Toro  Point). 

Head  4.6;  depth  4.6;  D.  about  65;  A.  about  55;  scales  about  90. 

Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  moderate;  snout  rather  blunt, 
4  in  head ;  eye  small,  9.2 ;  interorbital  convex,  4.3 ;  mouth  large,  ter- 
minal, nearly  horizontal;  maxillary  reaching  far  beyond  eye,  1.7  in 
head;  tip  of  snout  and  tip  of  mandible  with  dermal  ridges;  teeth 
pointed,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  opercle  with  a  single 
flat  spine,  placed  slightly  above  level  of  eye ;  gill-rakers  obsolete ; 
scales  small,  thin,  embedded,  very  difficult  to  enumerate,  covering 
entire  body  and  sides  of  head ;  lateral  line  obsolete ;  dorsal  fin  long, 
continuous,  its  origin  a  little  behind  base  of  pectorals ;  caudal  fin 
entirely  distinct  from  dorsal  and  anal,  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to 
dorsal,  but  shorter,  its  origin  equidistant  from  snout  and  base  of 
caudal ;  ventral  fins  inserted  close  together,  under  margin  of  preopercle, 
consisting  of  two  slender  rays,  reaching  half  the  distance  from  their 
origin  to  vent ;  pectoral  fins  rather  broad,  posterior  margin  round, 
1.7  in  head. 

Color  in  life  brownish  red  above,  pale  red  below ;  region  about  mouth 
brick-red ;  fins  all  bright  red ;  the  vertical  fins  with  pale  red  margins. 

We  have  a  single  specimen,  62  mm.  long,  from  the  Atlantic  coast 
of  Panama,  which  we  refer  to  this  species.  The  prominent  dermal 
folds  and  ridges  on  the  tip  of  snout  and  mandible  on  the  specimen  at 
hand  are  not  mentioned  in  the  original  description  nor  shown  in  the 
drawing  of  the  type.  We,  however,  have  examined  the  type  and  find 
them  present,  but  not  quite  as  prominent.  We  have  compared  our 
specimen  with  3  specimens  of  O.  ventralis  from  the  Pacific  coast, 
contained  in  the  present  collection,  and  we  find  that  they  are  very 
similar.  Our  material  is  too  meager  to  establish  definitely  the  relation- 
ship, but  it  seems  probable  that  the  scales  of  the  Atlantic  specimen 
are  a  little  larger,  and  the  snout  and  maxillary  a  little  longer.  Since 
the  scales  cannot  be  definitely  seen  or  enumerated,  this  character  must 
not  be  too  strongly  relied  upon.  A  study  of  more  specimens  is  neces- 
sary to  determine  the  affinities. 

Known  only  from  Key  West  and  Panama.  Our  specimen  is  from 
Toro  Point. 


968     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

273.  Genus  Pseudobythites  gen.  nov. 

Type  Pseudobythites  sanguineus  sp.  nov. 

This  genus  is  close  to  Neobythites  Goode  &  Bean,  from  which  it, 
however,  differs  in  having  both  the  opercle  and  preopercle  unarmed. 
The  eye  is  very  small;  the  snout  and  mandible  are  covered  with 
short  dermal  flaps ;  both  lips  have  prominent  vertical  folds  which 
form  slight  papillae  along  the  edges  of  the  mouth;  and  the  ventral 
fins  are  very  close  together,  consisting  of  2  rays  each  and  inserted  at 
the  isthmus,  almost  on  the  humeral  symphysis.  The  body  is  elongate, 
compressed ;  teeth  small,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines ; 
gill-membranes  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  scales  small,  present 
on  head  and  body;  vertical  fins  confluent. 

716.  Pseudobythites  sanguineus  sp.  nov.     (Plate  XCIX,  fig.  2.) 

Type  No.  81793,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  60  mm.;  Toro  Point,  Canal 
Zone. 

Head  4.6;  depth  5.5;  D.  about  84;  A.  about  64;  scales  about  135. 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  tapering  posteriorly;  head  moderate, 
not  much  deeper  than  broad;  snout  rather  blunt,  4.8  in  head;  eye 
very  small,  lateral,  6.7;  interorbital  broad,  convex,  3-4;  mouth  rather 
large,  horizontal ;  maxillary  reaching  far  beyond  eye,  broad  posteriorly, 
2  in  head ;  snout  and  lower  jaw  with  short  dermal  flaps ;  lips  with 
prominent  folds,  forming  slight  papillae  along  edges  of  mouth;  teeth 
all  small,  in  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  opercle  and  pre- 
opercle unarmed ;  gill-rakers  poorly  developed,  3  on  lower  limb  of 
first  arch;  scales  very  small,  present  on  head  and  body;  lateral  line 
present  only  on  anterior  half  of  body;  dorsal  fin  long,  continuous,  its 
origin  over  base  of  pectorals ;  caudal  fin  pointed,  confluent  with  the 
dorsal  and  anal;  ventral  fins  very  close  together,  each  with  2  rays, 
inserted  at  isthmus,  nearly  on  the  humeral  symphysis ;  pectoral  fins 
normal,  rounded,  scales  on  base,  1.7  in  head. 

Color  in  life  dark  red;  the  vertical  fins  somewhat  darker  than  the 
body.  Color  in  spirits  brown;  the  vertical  fins  very  dark  at  base; 
ventrals  and  pectorals  pale  brown. 

A  specimen,  60  mm.  in  length,  taken  on  a  coral  reef  at  Toro  Point, 
Canal  Zone,  is  the  type  and  only  specimen  secured  of  the  new  genus 
and  species  here  described. 

Family  LXXXVI.    Bregmacerotidae. 

Body  stout,  with  robust  caudal  portion;  vent  before  middle  of 
body;  suborbital  moderate;  no  barbels,  spines  nor  cirri  on  head; 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       969 

mouth  terminal ;  teeth  minute,  present  on  jaws  and  vomer ;  no  pseudo- 
branchiae  ;  gill-openings  wide,  the  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus ; 
dorsal  fins  2,  the  first  consisting  of  an  elongate,  slender  occipital  ray ; 
the  second  dorsal  depressed  medially,  forming  2  lobes;  caudal  fin 
truncate  or  convex;  anal  fin  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  dorsal  and  anal 
depressible  in  a  groove  of  scales.  A  single  genus  of  this  family  is 
known. 

274.  Genus  Bregmaceros  Thompson. 

Bregmaceros  (Cantor,  MS.)  Thompson,  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.,  New  Ser.,  IV, 

1840,  184  (type  Bregmaceros  mcclellandi  Thompson). 
Calloptilum  Richardson,  in  Hinds,  Zool.  Voy.  Sulphur,  Ichth.,  1845,  94 

(type  Calloptilum  mirum  Richardson). 
Asthenurus  Tickell,   Journ.   Asiat.    Soc.   Bengal,  XXXIV,    1865,   32 

(type  Asthenurus  atripinnis  Tickell). 

The  characters  of  this  genus  are  included  in  the  family  description. 

717.  Bregmaceros  mcclellandi  Thompson. 

Bregmaceros  mcclellandi  (Cantor,    MS.)    Thompson,  Mag.  Nat.  Hist., 

New  Ser.,  IV,  1840,  184  (mouth  of  the  Ganges)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks, 

Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  197. 
Calloptilum  mirum  Richardson,  in  Hinds,  Zool.  Voy.  Sulphur,  Ichth., 

1845,  95>  PL  XLVI,  figs.  4-7- 
Bregmaceros  macclellandii  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862, 

368;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2526. 
Asthenurus  atripinnis  Tickell,  Journ.  Asiat.  Soc.  Bengal,  XXXIV,  1865, 

32,  with  PI.  (Bay  of  Bengal). 
Bregmaceros  bathymaster  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1889,  173  (Albatross  Station  2804,  Panama  Bay,  47  fathoms). 

Head  5.2;  depth  6.6;  D.  about  I,  iS-X-15;  A.  about  18,  X,  22; 
scales  58  to  64. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  compressed,  the  back  not  elevated; 
head  short,  small,  moderately  compressed;  no  serratures  or  spines; 
snout  blunt,  a  little  shorter  than  eye ;  eye  3  in  head ;  interorbital  ridged, 
about  as  broad  as  eye ;  mouth  very  oblique,  the  jaws  subequal ;  maxil- 
lary reaching  beyond  middle  of  eye,  2.2  in  head;  teeth  in  both  jaws 
close-set,  moderate,  recurved,  apparently  in  a  single  series;  gill-mem- 
branes separate,  free  from  the  isthmus;  no  barbels;  scales  rather 
large,  caducous;  vent  slightly  behind  anterior  third  of  total  length; 
dorsal  beginning  with  a  single  long  slender  spine  on  occiput,  nearly 


970     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

l/3  longer  than  head,  then  with  rudimentary  rays  not  rising  above  the 
sheath  for  a  distance  equal  to  the  longest  spine ;  the  dorsal  proper  origin- 
ating over  vent,  the  anterior  rays  moderately  elevated,  these  followed 
by  shorter  and  more  slender  rays,  becoming  too  small  to  count,  the 
rays  again  becoming  conspicuous  just  before  the  caudal  and  about 
y-2.  as  high  as  the  anterior  rays ;  anal  opposite  dorsal  and  similar  to 
it;  caudal  free  from  dorsal  and  anal;  ventral  fins  jugular,  with  4  rays, 

3  of  them  long,  reaching  about  middle  of  anal  fin,  the  fourth  ray  short ; 
pectorals  inserted  high,  somewhat  shorter  than  head. 

Color  brown  above;  sides  and  below  silvery;  back  and  base  of  anal 
closely  dotted  with  dusky;  dorsal  mostly  dusky;  caudal  pale,  dusky 
at  base,  with  a  narrow  white  cross-bar;  lower  fins  pale. 

This  widely  distributed  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above 
description  is  compiled  from  published  accounts. 

Recorded  from  various  parts  of  the  tropical  Pacific.  The  Panama 
record  is  based  on  specimens  dredged  by  the  Albatross  at  Station  2804. 

Family  LXXXVIL    Pleuronectidae. 

THE  FLOUNDERS. 

Body  much  compressed,  deep,  and  elliptical  in  shape;  head  twisted, 
both  eyes  on  one  side  in  the  adult ;  premaxillaries  protractile ;  gill-arches 

4  in  number ;  pseudobranchise  present ;  air  bladder  wanting ;  vent  close 
to   head;    scales   various,    usually    small;    lateral    line    rarely    absent, 
extending  on  caudal  fin ;  dorsal  fin  composed  of  soft  rays  only,  beginning 
on  head  and  extending  nearly  to  caudal;  anal  fin  similar  but  shorter; 
caudal  fin  sometimes  continuous  with  dorsal  and  anal ;  ventrals  variously 
placed,  one  sometimes  wanting;  pectoral  fins  rarely  absent,  placed  high. 
The  flounders   are   oviparous,   the   eggs   being   small  and   numerous. 
Many  of  the  species  are  of  much  economic  value.     Several  species  on 
the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama  are  frequently  seen  in  the  market,  but 
the  Atlantic  species  of  that  vicinity  rarely  reach  a  size  great  enough  to 
make  them  of  commercial  value. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Ventral  fins  symmetrical,  or  at  least  both  lateral,  neither  situated 
on  abdominal  ridge;  lateral  line  arched  anteriorly. 

b.  Gill-rakers  short  and  broad,  with  strong  teeth;  the  ventral  fin 
on  eyed  side  produced.  Pseudorhombus,  p.  971. 

bb.     Gill-rakers  rather  long  and  slender ;  the  ventral  fin  on  eyed  side 
not  notably  produced. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       971 

c.  Origin  of  dorsal  above  pupil  of  upper  eye. 

Hippoglossina,  p.  973. 

cc.     Origin  of  dorsal  in  advance  of  upper  eye.       Paralichthys,  p.  974. 
aa.     Ventral  fins  unsymmetrical,  the  one  of  eyed  side  inserted  on 
abdominal  ridge;  lateral  line  either  straight  or  arched. 

d.  Lateral  line  anteriorly  with  a  prominent  arch. 

e.  Interorbital  very  narrow,  the  ridges  coalesced,  and  armed  with 
a  strong  retrorse  spine.  Engyophrys,  p.  975. 

ee.  Interorbital  broad,  concave,  the  ridges  separate  and  not  armed 
with  a  spine.  Platophrys,  p.  977. 

dd.  Lateral  line  straight  or  nearly  so,  never  with  a  prominent  arch 
anteriorly. 

f.  Mouth  rather  large,  the  maxillary  equal  to  or  greater  than 
one-third  the  length  of  head. 

g.  Teeth  in  upper  jaw  biserial;  gill-rakers  short  and  rather  thick; 
scales  strongly  ctenoid  on  eyed  side,  cycloid  on  blind  side. 

Syacium,  p.  980. 

gg.     Teeth  in  upper  jaw  uniserial. 

h.  Gill-rakers  of  moderate  length,  slender;  scales  thin,  more  or 
less  deciduous,  weakly  ctenoid.  Citharichthys,  p.  985. 

hh.     Gill-rakers  very  short  and  thick;  scales  firm,  not  deciduous, 
i.       Scales  ctenoid  on  eyed  side,  smooth  on  blind  side. 

Azevia,  p.  990. 

ii.       Scales  cycloid  on  both  sides.  Cyclopsetta,  p  991. 

ff.  Mouth  very  small,  the  maxillary  less  than  one-third  the  length 
of  head ;  teeth  small,  none  on  eyed  side  in  upper  jaw. 

Etropus,  p.  992. 

275.  Genus  Pseudorhombus  Bleeker. 

Pseudorhombus  Bleeker,  Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,  XIII,  1862,  426  (type 

Rhombus  polyspilos  Bleeker). 
Ancylo\psetta  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1864,  224  (type  Ancy- 

lopsetta  quadrocellatus  Gill). 
Ramularia  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898, 

2633  (type  Ancylopsetta  dendritica  Gilbert). 

Body  with  eyes  and  color  on  left  side,  deep,  ovate,  the  depth  greater 
than  half  the  length;  caudal  peduncle  short;  mouth  rather  large;  teeth 
in  the  jaws  in  one  series,  enlarged  anteriorly;  scales  strongly  ctenoid 
on  both  sides  of  the  body;  lateral  line  with  a  strong  arch  anteriorly; 
gill-rakers  short  and  broad,  with  strong  teeth ;  both  ventral  fins  lateral, 
the  left  one  produced. 


972     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

718.  Pseudorhombus  dendritica  (Gilbert). 

Ancylopsetta  dendritica  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,   1890,   121 

(Gulf  of  California)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  199,  PI.  XXXIII,  fig.  62. 
Ramularia  dendritica  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2633. 
Hippoglossina  sabanensis  Boulenger,  Boll.  Mus.  Zool.  Anat.  Torino., 

XIV,  No.  346,  1899,  4  (Rio  Sabana,  Panama). 

Head  3.6  to  3.85;  depth  1.75  to  1.9;  D.  76  to  82;  A.  59  to  64; 
scales  99  to  104. 

Body  very  broad;  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about  evenly 
curved,  both  strongly  convex,  a  slight  depression  over  upper  eye; 
head  rather  short ;  snout  blunt,  with  a  blunt  spine  on  colored  side, 
5.9  to  6.3  in  head;  eye  5.1  to  5.3;  interorbital  scaly,  nearly  equal  to 
half  the  vertical  diameter  of  eye;  mouth  rather  large,  very  oblique; 
maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.55  to  2.85  in  head; 
teeth  in  single  series,  pointed,  directed  inward  and  becoming  gradu- 
ally larger  toward  front  of  jaws;  gill-rakers  short,  as  broad  as  long, 
with  strong  teeth,  6  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  small,  strongly 
ctenoid  on  both  sides,  extending  on  all  of  the  vertical  fins;  lateral 
line  anteriorly  with  a  strong  arch,  the  curved  portion  about  equal  to 
length  of  head  to  preopercular  margin;  origin  of  dorsal  over  anterior 
margin  of  pupil,  the  outline  of  the  fin  evenly  and  gently  convex  to 
posterior  rays,  the  rays  then  becoming  rapidly  shortened,  forming  a  slight 
angle;  caudal  fin  evenly  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  its  origin 
at  vertical  from  opercular  margin;  ventral  fins  well  developed,  the 
one  on  colored  side  very  long  and  narrow,  varying  greatly  among 
specimens,  equal  to  or  notably  longer  than  head  in  specimens  at  hand ; 
pectoral  fins  moderate,  the  one  on  colored  side  slightly  the  longer, 
1.4  to  1.55  in  head. 

Color  grayish  brown,  with  3  large  black  spots,  larger  than  eye,  with 
yellow  centers,  usually  surrounded  by  a  distinct  yellowish  ring;  the 
posterior  spot  located  on  the  lateral  line  in  advance  of  the  caudal 
peduncle ;  the  two  anterior  ones  situated  under  the  middle  of  the  dorsal 
about  midway  between  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines,  respectively; 
distal  portions  of  the  vertical  fins  and  the  ventral  fin  on  colored  side 
darker  than  body. 

This  species  is  represented  in  the  present  collection  by  9  speci- 
mens, ranging  in  length  from  190  to  275  mm.  It  is  occasionally  seen 
in  the  Panama  City  market  and  it  is  of  some  commercial  value. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       973 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  California  to  Panama  Bay.     Our  speci- 
mens are  from  the  Panama  City  market. 


276.   Genus  Hippoglossina  Steindachner. 

Hippoglossina   Steindachner,    (Sitzb.   k.   Ak.   Wiss.   Wien,   LXXIV) 

Ichth.  Beitr.,  V,  1876,  13 (type  Hippoglossina  macrops  Steindachner). 

Eyes  and  cblor  indifferently  on  the  left  or  right  side ;  mouth  rather 

large,  greater  than  a  third  of  the  length  of  head ;  teeth  small,  uniserial ; 

interorbital  narrow;  gill-rakers  rather  long  and  slender;  lateral  line 

anteriorly  with  a  strong  arch;  scales  ctenoid;  origin  of  dorsal  above 

pupil;  ventral  fins  both  lateral;  anal  spine  obsolete.     A  single  species 

comes  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 

719.  Hippoglossina  bollmani  Gilbert. 

Hippoglossina  macrons  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1889,  175  (not  of  Steindachner). 

Hippoglossina  bollmani  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1890,  122  (Al- 
batross Station  2805,  Panama  Bay,  51^2  fathoms)  ;  Jordan  &  Ev- 
ermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2621;  Gilbert  & 
Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  197. 
Body  regularly  elongate,  elliptical,  the  ventral  and  dorsal  curves 
nearly  equal;  head  3.75  to  3.8  in  length;  snout  5  in  head;  eyes  large, 
the  lower  slightly  in  advance  of  the  upper,  3.66  to  4  in  head;  inter- 
orbital  space  a  narrow,  sharp,  naked  ridge;  mouth  rather  large;  the 
maxillary  reaching  about  to  middle  of  pupil,  2.33  to  2.6  in  head ;  teeth 
equally  developed  on  both  sides,  small  and  equal,  uniserial;  gill-rakers 
moderately  long  and  slender,  the  longest  3  in  length  of  ventral  of 
eyed  side,  8  or  9  developed  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch,  the  last  2 
much  shorter;  scales  small,  firm,  strongly  ctenoid,  those  below  pec- 
toral much  reduced,  about  40  in  a  cross  series;  arch  of  lateral  line 
strongly  marked,  2.66  to  2.8  in  straight  part;  dorsal  beginning  over 
middle  of  pupil  of  upper  eye,  its  anterior  rays  low,  its  longest  rays 
2.57  in  head ;  a  strong  antrorse  spine  before  anal ;  pectoral  of  eyed  side 
2  in  head,  that  of  blind  side  2.5  to  2.66  in  head;  caudal  acute,  its 
peduncle  long;  ventrals  subequal,  each  6  rayed,  4  in  head,  extending 
more  than  y2  their  length  beyond  vent,  each  lateral,  but  that  of  eyed 
side  nearest  ridge  of  abdomen,  and  a  little  beyond  its  fellow;  last  ray 
of  ventral  joined  to  abdomen  alongside  of  anal  spine. 

Color  grayish  brown;  a  row  of  6  round,  bluish  spots,  smaller  than 
pupil,  along  base  of  dorsal;  4  similar  spots  along  base  of  anal,  and  a 


974     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

few  indistinct  smaller  ones  on  rest  of  body  and  head;  body  with  6 
large  black  spots  somewhat  smaller  than  eye,  these  regularly  4  below 
dorsal  and  2  above  anal,  the  first  one  below  dorsal  above  arch  of  lateral 
line,  the  second  above  anterior  third  of  straight  part,  the  third  at  base  of 
last  rays  and  almost  forming  a  cross-bar  with  the  first  at  base  of  anal 
rays;  dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  dusky,  with  small  whitish  spots;  a  pale 
spot  at  base  of  last  4  dorsal  and  anal  rays ;  a  small  black  spot  at  base  of 
outer  caudal  rays  on  peduncle;  pectorals  and  ventrals  dusky,  but  not 
spotted ;  right  side  immaculate. 

Known  only  from  Panama  Bay,  where  specimens  were  dredged 
by  the  Albatross  at  Station  2805,  at  a  depth  of  51^  fathoms.  The 
species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  compiled  from  pub- 
lished accounts. 

277.  Genus  Paralichthys  Girard. 

Paralichthys  Giraxd.,  (House  of  Repr.  Ex.  Doc.  No.  91)  Kept.  Expl.  & 

Surv.  Miss.  R.  to  Pac.  O.,  X,  Pt.  IV,  1858,  146  (type  Pleuronectes 

maculosus  Girard). 
Uropsetta  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1862,  330  (type  Hippoglos- 

sus  calif  ornicus  Ay  res). 
Chcsnopsetta  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1864,  218  (type  Platessa 

ocellaris  DeKay). 

Body  oblong;  eyes  and  color  normally  on  left  side;  mouth  large, 
oblique;  jaws  with  a  single  row  of  sharp  teeth;  no  teeth  on  vomer 
or  palatines;  gill-rakers  rather  long;  lateral  line  simple,  with  a  strong 
curve  anteriorly;  scales  small,  cycloid  or  ctenoid;  dorsal  fin  beginning 
before  eye,  its  anterior  rays  not  produced;  caudal  fin  double  concave, 
or  double  truncate;  no  anal  spine;  both  ventral  fins  lateral.  A  single 
species  of  this  large  genus  is  included  in  the  Panama  collection. 

720.  Paralichthys  woolmani  Jordan  &  Williams. 

Paralichthys  adspersus  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1889,  182  (not  of  Steindachner). 
Paralichthys  woolmani  Jordan  &  'Williams,  in  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.,  1897,  457  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S. 

Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2628. 
Paralichthys  sinaloce  Jordan  &  Abbott,  in  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2872  (Mazatlan). 
Paralichthys  woolmanni  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  197  (Panama  Bay). 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       975 

Head  3.2  to  3.8;  depth  2  to  2.3;  D.  71  to  78;  A.  54  to  58;  scales 
102  to  no. 

Body  rather  elongate;  anterior  profile  concave  in  front  of  eye; 
head  moderate;  snout  rather  short,  4.15  to  4.6  in  head;  eye  4.25  to 
6.4;  interorbital  increasing  in  width  with  age,  14  to  38  in  head;  mouth 
large,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  slightly  projecting;  maxillary  broad, 
reaching  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  lower  eye,  2  to  2.2  in 
head;  teeth  on  jaws  strong,  pointed,  largest  anteriorly;  preopercular 
margin  free  and  distinct;  gill-rakers  strong,  at  least  half  as  long  as 
eye,  12  or  13  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  cycloid,  small  an- 
teriorly, becoming  larger  posteriorly;  origin  of  dorsal  over  anterior 
margin  of  upper  eye;  caudal  fin  forming  an  obtuse  angle,  the  median 
rays  longest ;  origin  of  anal  under  base  of  pectorals ;  ventral  fins  mod- 
erate, reaching  beyond  origin  of  anal;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  1.85 
to  2.1  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  spotted  with  rather  large,  round,  black 
spots  extending  on  the  fins ;  two  more  or  less  distinct  rows  of  spots  on 
dorsal  and  anal  and  3  rows  on  caudal ;  in  addition  to  the  large  black 
spots  small  dark  specks  present  on  the  body  and  all  the  fins.  The  color 
markings  are  much  more  distinct  on  the  small  specimen  than  they  are 
on  the  larger  ones.  The  species  undoubtedly  has  color  protection  highly 
developed,  as  the  specimens  when  taken  very  closely  resembled  the 
bottom,  both  in  shade  and  pattern,  on  which  they  were  caught.  An  ex- 
cellent opportunity  for  making  observation  relative  to  protective  colora- 
tion was  found  at  Taboga  Island,  where  the  species  is  common  and 
inhabits  the  shallow  shore  water. 

We  have  at  hand  16  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  47  to  305 
mm.  The  species  is  rather  common  at  Panama  and  it  is  of  some  com- 
mercial value. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Callao,  Peru.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Chame  Point,  Taboga  Island,  and  the  Panama  City  market. 

278.  Genus  Engyophrys  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Engyophrys  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.   Mus.,   1889,   176 
(type  Engyophrys  sancti-laurentii  Jordan  &  Bollman). 
Body  ovate,  very  strongly  compressed ;  mouth  rather  small,  notably 
less  than  one-third  the  length  of  head;  teeth  small,  subequal,  none  on 
vomer;  eyes  and  color  on  left  side;  interorbital  space  very  narrow 
and  armed  with  a  strong  retrorse  spine;  gill-rakers  very  small,  obso- 
lete ;  scales  moderate  and  some  of  them  weakly  ctenoid  on  eyed  side ; 


976     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

lateral  line  with  a  strong  arch  anteriorly;  no  anal  spine;  the  left  ven- 
tral on  ridge  of  abdomen.    A  single  species  is  known. 

721.  Engyophrys  sancti-laurentii  Jordan  &  Bollman. 
Engyophrys  sancti-laurentii  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
1889,  176  (Albatross  Stations  2795  an<^  2&°5>  Panama  Bay,  33  to 
51^  fathoms)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  2668;  Carman,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXIV,  1899, 
222  (Panama  Bay)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 
1904,  199. 

Head  3.45  to  3.8;  depth  1.8  to  1.95;  D.  85  to  88;  A.  66  to  70; 
scales  65  to  70. 

Body  ovate,  strongly  compressed ;  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about 
evenly  curved;  head  short;  snout  blunt,  6.2  to  7.1  in  head;  eye  3.65  to 
4.1 ;  interorbital  very  narrow,  the  ridges  coalesced,  but  forking  above 
pupil  of  lower  eye,  the  lower  ridge  with  a  strong  retrorse  spine  above 
anterior  margin  of  lower  eye;  mouth  small,  strongly  oblique;  maxil- 
lary reaching  anterior  margin  of  eye,  4.1  to  4.3  in  head;  teeth  in  the 
jaws  present  only  on  blind  side,  small,  close-set,  directed  inward; 
gill-rakers  very  short,  about  5  or  6  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch ;  scales 
rather  small,  thin,  cycloid  on  blind  side,  some  weakly  ctenoid  on  eyed 
side;  lateral  line  with  a  strong  arch  anteriorly,  the  arched  portion 
slightly  longer  than  snout  and  eye;  origin  of  dorsal  slightly  in  ad- 
vance of  anterior  margin  of  upper  eye,  the  fin  convex,  somewhat  angu- 
late,  the  last  rays  arising  at  base  of  caudal  rays;  caudal  fin  strongly 
rounded ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal,  its  origin  under  margin  of  opercle ; 
ventral  fins  well  developed,  of  about  equal  length,  the  left  one  on  ventral 
ridge;  pectoral  fins  equal,  1.7  to  1.8  in  head. 

"Color  of  left  or  eyed  side  blackish-brown,  with  scattered  white 
and  black  spots,  the  latter  most  prominent  along  base  of  dorsal  and 
anal  fin.  Three  large  black,  non-ocellated  blotches  on  straight  part  of 
lateral  line,  the  first  at  beginning,  second  at  middle,  third  on  peduncle. 
Fins  dusky ;  dorsal  and  anal  with  scattered  white  and  black  spots ;  cau- 
dal with  five  black  spots  arranged  in  a  curved  series.  Blind  side  with 
five  or  six  curved  parallel  dusky  bands  as  wide  as  eye,  the  first  beginning 
on  interopercle  and  curving  across  cheek  to  along  base  of  dorsal ;  sec- 
ond beginning  at  throat  and  curving  along  posterior  margin  of  pre- 
opercle,  and  extending  on  back,  parallel  with  the  first  from  vent ;  third 
curving  around  in  front  of  pectorals,  across  posterior  part  of  opercle, 
and  extending  to  base  of  dorsal  fin  behind  the  middle ;  rest  behind  pec- 
torals. All  of  these  bands  fade  out  behind  middle  of  body,  so  that  the 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       977 

posterior  portion  is  immaculate.  In  young  examples  these  bands  are 
very  faint  or  obsolete."  (Jordan  &  Bollman.) 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  The  above  description  (exclu- 
sive of  color)  is  based  on  faded  alcoholic  specimens  from  the  National 
Museum  collection. 

Recorded  from  Panama  Bay  only,  where  it  was  taken  by  the  Al- 
batross in  33  and  51.5  fathoms. 

279.  Genus  Platophrys  Swainson. 

Platophrys  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  302   (type 

Pleuronectes  ocellatus  Agassiz). 
Peloria  Cocco,  Intor.  Alcun.  Pesci  Messina,   1844,  21    (type  Peloria 

heckeli  Cocco). 
Rhomboidichthys  Bleeker,  Act.  Soc.  Sci.  Indo-Neerl.,  I,  1856,  67  (type 

Rhomb oidichthys  myriaster  Bleeker). 

Body  ovate,  strongly  compressed;  mouth  of  the  large  type  but 
comparatively  small,  the  maxillary  one-third  or  less  in  head;  teeth 
small,  subequal,  in  i  or  2  series;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines;  eyes 
and  color  on  the  left  side ;  interorbital  space  broad,  concave,  broadest 
in  adult  males;  scales  small,  ctenoid;  lateral  line  with  a  strong  arch 
in  front;  origin  of  dorsal  in  advance  of  eye,  none  of  its  rays  pro- 
duced ;  caudal  fin  convex ;  ventral  fin  of  the  colored  side  on  ridge  of 
abdomen;  pectoral  fin  of  the  left  side  usually  produced  in  the  adult, 
at  least  in  the  male ;  color  usually  variegated.  This  genus  is  represented 
by  2  species  in  the  Panama  collection.  A  third  species,  from  rather  deep 
water,  although  not  seen  by  us,  is  included. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  long,  D.  88  to  96;  A.  68  to  74;  scales  85 
to  92 ;  mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  2.6  to  3.3  in  head ;  eye 
with  a  dermal  tentacle  above.  maculiferus,  p.  977. 

aa.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  slightly  shorter,  D.  89 ;  A.  65 ;  scales  75 ; 
mouth  rather  large,  maxillary  3  in  head.  constellatus.  p,  978. 

aaa.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  rather  short,  D.  78  to  82;  A.  56  to  63; 
scales  65  to  74;  mouth  rather  small,  maxillary  3.3  to  3.6  in 
head ;  eye  without  a  dermal  tentacle.  ocellatus,  p.  979. 

722.  Platophrys  maculiferus  (Poey). 

Pleuronectes  maculiferus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  316  (Cienfuegos). 

Rhomboidichthys  maculiferus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  408. 


978     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Platophrys  maculifer  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV, 

1886   (1889),  267;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2664. 

Head  3.33  to  3.8;  depth  1.7  to  1.85;  D.  88  to  96;  A.  68  to  74; 
scales  85  to  92. 

Body  deep,  ovate ;  the  dorsal  profile  anteriorly  nearly  evenly  con- 
vex, with  only  a  trace  of  an  indentation  above  and  in  front  of  lower 
eye;  head  short,  deep;  snout  very  short,  3.6  to  4.2  in  head;  eye  with 
a  dermal  tentacle  above,  3.8  to  4.5 ;  interorbital  broad,  deeply  con- 
cave, 4.35  to  6.75  in  head;  mouth  moderate,  oblique;  maxillary  reach- 
ing nearly  opposite  middle  of  lower  eye  in  adult,  not  quite  as  far 
back  in  young,  2.6  to  3.3  in  head ;  teeth  in  jaws  rather  small,  pointed, 
in  a  single  series;  gill-rakers  short,  rather  blunt,  7  or  8  on  the  lower 
limb  of  first  arch;  scales  rather  small,  ctenoid  on  the  colored  side, 
cycloid  on  the  blind  side;  lateral  line  with  a  prominent  arch  anteri- 
orly, the  length  of  arch  nearly  ^  of  the  straight  portion;  origin  of 
the  dorsal  in  advance  of  lower  eye,  none  of  the  rays  produced ;  caudal 
fin  rounded,  well  separated  from  the  dorsal  and  anal;  anal  fin  similar 
to  the  dorsal;  ventral  fins  well  developed,  the  one  of  the  colored  side 
on  ridge  of  abdomen;  pectoral  fins  moderate  in  the  young,  1.3  to  1.5 
in  the  head,  greatly  produced  in  the  adult  male,  reaching  nearly  to 
caudal  peduncle. 

Color  of  preserved  specimens  brownish,  with  darker  blotches  and 
with  round  pale  spots  (blue  in  life)  ;  3  large  black  blotches  on  the  lateral 
line,  one  large  one  at  the  beginning  of  the  straight  portion,  a  smaller  but 
better  defined  spot  on  middle  of  lateral  line  and  a  small  vague  one 
further  back ;  fins  somewhat  paler  in  color  than  the  body,  with  indefinite 
dark  spots  and  specks ;  the  vertical  fins  with  a  few  pale  spots. 

This  species  is  represented  in  the  present  collection  by  9  specimens, 
ranging  in  length  from  50  to  175  mm.  It  apparently  is  a  rather  rare 
species. 

This  fish  appears  previously  to  have  been  recorded  only  from 
Cuba.  Our  specimens  are  from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

723.  Platophrys  constellatus  Jordan. 

Platophrys  constellatus  Jordan,  in  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish 
Comm.,  XIV,  1886  (1889),  266  (James  Island,  Galapagos  Archi- 
pelago) ;  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  183 
(Panama  Bay)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  2663;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  199. 
"Head  4;  depth  i^ ;  eye  3^3  in  head;  interorbital  width  3.  D.  89; 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       979 

A.  65 ;  scales  75.  Body  elliptic-ovate,  the  outlines  more  regular  than 
in  P.  lunatus;  anterior  profile  of  head  convex  before  the  interorbital 
area,  the  very  short  snout  scarcely  forming  a  reentrant  angle  at  its 
base;  anal  rays  without  spinules  at  their  base;  mouth  small,  the  max- 
illary 3  in  head;  no  spines  about  the  snout;  pectoral  short;  curve  of 
lateral  line  6  times  in  straight  part.  Color  dark  brown,  with  numer- 
ous stellate  white  spots,  the  most  distinct  of  them  with  darker  edg- 
ings ;  these  generally  scattered  over  the  body,  but  some  of  them  on 
sides  of  body  are  gathered  together  in  little  rings  (perhaps  these  spots 
are  blue  rather  than  white  in  life)  ;  fins  mottled  with  dark  brown,  the 
pectoral  finely  barred." 

The  above  description  is  copied  from  Jordan  &  Evermann  (1898). 
It  is  based  on  specimens  the  largest  of  which  was  about  90  mm.  long. 
The  species  was  not  seen  by  us. 

Known  from  the  Galapagos  Archipelago  and  from  specimens  from 
Panama  Bay  dredged  by  the  Albatross  at  Stations  2795,  2796,  2797,  at 
a  depth  of  33  fathoms. 

724.  Platophrys  ocellatus  (Agassiz). 

Rhombus  ocellatus  Agassiz,  in  Spix,  Pise.  Brasil.,  1831,  85,  PI.  XLVI 

(Brazil). 
Platophrys  ocellatus  Swainson,  Nat.  Hist.  &  Class.  Fish.,  II,  1839,  302 ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2663, 

PI.  CCCLXXXII,  fig.  939. 
Rhombus  bahianus  Castelnau,  Anim.  Nouv.  Rares  Amer.  Sud,  1855,  78, 

PI.  XLI,  fig.  i  (Bahia). 
Rhomb oidichthys  ocellatus  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862, 

433- 
Platophrys  nebularis  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884, 

31  &  143  (Key  West). 

Head  3.9  to  4;  depth  1.7 ;  D.  78  to  82 ;  A.  56  to  63 ;  scales  65  to  74. 

Body  ovate,  the  anterior  profile  steep,  noticeably  concave  over 
and  in  front  of  lower  eye;  head  short;  snout  slightly  projecting,  4  to 
4.8  in  head;  eye  without  a  dermal  tentacle,  3  in  head;  interorbital 
space  deeply  concave,  4.8  to  7.5  in  head;  mouth  small,  very  oblique, 
the  lower  lip  entering  into  the  profile  of  the  head ;  maxillary  reaching 
vertical  from  anterior  margin  of  lower  eye,  3.3  to  3.6  in  head;  teeth 
in  the  jaws  pointed,  in  a  single  series ;  gill-rakers  very  short,  blunt, 
about  7  rudiments  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  rather  small, 
ctenoid  on  the  colored  side,  cycloid  on  the  blind  side ;  lateral  line  with 
a  steep  arch  anteriorly,  the  arch  about  %  the  length  of  the  straight 


980     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

part;  origin  of  the  dorsal  fin  over  anterior  nostril,  none  of  the  rays 
produced;  caudal  fin  strongly  convex;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal; 
ventral  fin  moderate,  the  one  on  the  colored  side  on  the  ridge  of  the 
abdomen  separated  from  the  anal  only  by  a  narrow  interspace;  pec- 
toral fins  of  the  opposite  sides  about  equally  developed,  about  1.2  in 
head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  with  many  paler  areas  surrounded  by 
dark  rings;  an  indefinite  dark  spot  at  the  beginning  of  the  straight 
part  of  the  lateral  line,  another  and  a  somewhat  larger  one  on  the 
middle  of  the  straight  part  of  the  lateral  line  and  a  third  and  smaller 
one  on  the  lateral  line  under  the  posterior  rays  of  the  dorsal  fin;  the 
fins  paler  than  the  body,  with  many  small  dark  specks. 

The  above  description  is  based  on  3  small  specimens,  respectively 
53,  58,  and  60  mm.  in  length.  We  refer  these  specimens  somewhat 
doubtfully  to  this  species,  with  which  they  appear  to  agree  fairly  well,  ex- 
cept in  dentition.  P.  ocellatus  is  described  as  having  two  series  of 
teeth  in  the  upper  jaw,  while  our  specimens  appear  to  have  only  a 
single  series.  This  small  species  is  of  no  commercial  value,  as  it  reaches 
a  length  of  only  about  75  mm. 

Known  from  Long  Island,  New  York,  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil. 
Our  specimens  are  from  Porto  Bello. 

280.  Genus  Syacium  Ranzani. 

Syacium  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst.  Bonon.,  V,  1842,  20 
(type  Syacium  micrurum  Ranzani). 

Hemirhombus  Bleeker,  Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,  XIII,  1862,  425  (type 
Hemirhombus  guineensis  Bleeker). 

Aramaca  Jordan  &  Goss,  in  Jordan,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIII, 
1885  (1887),  921   (type  Hemirhombus  pcetulus  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  elliptical,  much  compressed;  interorbital  space  variable,  the 
orbital  ridges  not  coalesced,  often  broader  in  the  male  than  in  the 
female;  mouth  moderate,  the  gape  curved;  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw 
biserial,  in  the  lower  jaw  uniserial,  the  front  teeth  somewhat  enlarged ; 
vomer  toothless ;  gill-rakers  short  and  rather  thick ;  scales  strongly 
ctenoid  on  colored  side,  cycloid  on  blind  side;  lateral  line  without  an 
arch;  pectoral  fins  both  present,  the  one  on  colored  side  sometimes 
filamentous;  ventral  fins  short,  the  left  one  on  ventral  ridge;  no  anal 
spine. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       981 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Interorbital  space  narrower  than  pupil. 

b.  Scales  rather  small,  60  to  68;  gill-rakers  7  on  lower  limb  of 
first  arch;  body  with  ring-like  ocelli.  micrurum,p.gSi. 

bb.     Scales  larger,  57;  gill-rakers  8  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch; 

body  usually  without  ring-like  ocelli.  ovale,  p.  982. 

aa.     Interorbital  broad,  equal  to  or  broader  than  eye ;  scales  rather 

large,  50  to  57. 

c.  Interorbital   space   broader  than   longest   diameter  of  eye  in 
male,  but  about  equal  to  vertical  diameter  of  eye  in  female; 
D.  82 ;  pectoral  fin  of  colored  side  barred. 

papillosum,  p.  983. 

cc.     Interorbital  space  very  broad,  much  broader  than  eye;  D.  89; 
pectoral  fin  of  colored  side  not  barred.  latifrons,  p.  984. 

725.  Syacium  micrurum  Ranzani. 

Syacium  micrurum  Ranzani,  Novi  Comment.  Ac.  Sci.  Inst.  Bonon.,  V, 
1842,  20,  PL  5  (Brazil)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2672. 

Hippoglossus  ocellatus  Poey,  Memorias,  II,  1861,  314  (Cuba). 
Hemlrhombus  aramaca  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  422 

(Cuba;  Jamaica). 

Citharichthys  (zthalion  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  52  (Ha- 
vana). 

Head  3.6  to  4 ;  depth  2.25  to  2.45 ;  D.  86  to  91 ;  A.  65  to  69 ;  scales 
60  to  68. 

Body  elliptical,  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about  equally  arched ; 
anterior  profile  with  an  abrupt  indentation  in  advance  of  upper  orbit, 
thence  rather  gently  convex;  head  rather  small;  snout  short,  4.3  to 
4.75  in  head;  eye  3.45  to  4.4;  interorbital  space  narrow,  the  ridges 
not  coalesced,  narrower  than  pupil  even  in  our  largest  specimen  (148 
mm.);  mouth  moderate,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  included;  maxillary 
reaching  to  or  slightly  past  middle  of  lower  eye,  2.55  to  2.7  in  head ; 
teeth  in  upper  jaw  biserial,  the  outer  series  anteriorly  somewhat  en- 
larged ;  pseudobranchise  moderate ;  gill-rakers  shorter  than  pupil,  7 
on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  in  rather  regular  series,  ctenoid 
on  colored  side,  cycloid  on  opposite  side;  lateral  line  nearly  straight, 
without  an  arch ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  about  evenly  elevated,  coterminal, 
origin  of  dorsal  a  little  in  advance  of  upper  eye;  caudal  fin  slightly 
double  concave,  the  median  rays  the  longest;  ventral  fins  moderate, 


982     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

the  left  one  on  ventral  ridge;  pectoral  fin  of  colored  side  rather  long, 
the  upper  ray  slightly  filamentous  in  our  largest  specimen,  1.35  to  1.6 
in  head,  the  fin  of  blind  side  from  2/z  to  £4  the  length  of  its  fellow. 

Color  brownish,  with  many  irregular  dark  blotches  and  some  round 
black  spots,  surrounded  by  a  grayish  ring  and  then  a  black  ring;  a 
large  black  blotch  on  lateral  line  under  end  of  pectoral,  another  smaller 
one  on  base  of  caudal  peduncle;  fins  with  many  small  dark  spots  and 
specks ;  the  pectoral  fin  of  colored  side  usually  barred  with  black. 

This  species  is  represented  by  33  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  90  to  175  mm. 

Known  from  Key  West,  Florida,  to  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  Natal,  Brazil. 
Our  specimens  are  from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

726.  Syacium  ovale  (Giinther). 

Hemirhombus  ovalis  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,   1864,   154 

(Panama). 

Citharichthys  ovalis  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  391. 
Syacium  ovale  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,   1886 

(1889),  271;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2674;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  199 

(Panama). 

Head  3.7  to  4.1 ;  depth  2.1  to  2.4;  D.  80  to  88;  A.  63  to  66;  scales 
54  to  57. 

Body  elliptical,  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about  evenly  arched ; 
the  anterior  profile  with  a  sharp  depression  in  front  of  upper  orbit, 
thence  rather  gently  convex;  head  rather  small;  snout  short,  4.7  to 
5.7  in  head;  eye  4.3  to  4.85;  interorbital  very  narrow,  the  ridges  not 
quite  coalesced,  very  narrow  in  young,  about  as  broad  as  pupil  in 
adult  (specimen  185  mm.  long)  ;  mouth  rather  large,  oblique,  the  lower 
jaw  included;  maxillary  rather  narrow,  scaled,  reaching  a  little  be- 
yond middle  of  lower  eye,  2.4  to  2.6  in  head;  teeth  in  upper  jaw  bi- 
serial,  the  outer  ones  anteriorly  somewhat  enlarged;  the  lower  third 
of  vertical  margin  of  preopercle  free,  the  rest  adnate  and  scaled 
over;  pseudobranchias  large;  gill-rakers  shorter  than  pupil,  7  or  8  on 
lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  moderate,  in  rather  regular  series, 
ctenoid  on  colored  side,  cycloid  on  blind  side;  lateral  line  without 
arch;  dorsal  and  anal  about  equal  in  height,  coterminal,  leaving  a 
short  caudal  peduncle;  origin  of  dorsal  a  little  in  advance  of  Upper 
orbit;  caudal  fin  slightly  double  concave,  the  median  rays  longest; 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       983 

ventral  fins  moderate,  the  left  one  on  ventral  ridge ;  pectoral  fin  of 
colored  side  moderate,  none  of  the  rays  filamentous,  1.4  to  1.6  in 
head ;  pectoral  of  blind  side  %  to  ^4  the  length  of  its  fellow. 

Color  brownish,  with  indefinite  dark  spots  and  blotches ;  the  smaller 
individuals  with  a  dark  area  on  lateral  line  under  end  of  pectoral  fin 
and  a  smaller  dark  blotch  on  lateral  line  opposite  last  rays  of  dorsal 
and  anal;  the  fins  with  small  dark  spots.  Our  largest  specimen  is 
uniformly  brown,  with  dark  spots  present  only  on  the  vertical  fins. 

We  have  at  hand  7  specimens  of  this  species,  ranging  in  length 
from  no  to  185  mm.  None  of  the  specimens  show  any  tendency  to 
an  increased  width  of  the  interorbital  with  age,  beyond  such  variation  as 
is  usual  and  normal  in  fishes.  Neither  do  our  specimens  have  any 
of  the  rays  of  the  pectoral  fins  perceptibly  produced,  hence  there  is 
no  indication  that  this  form  intergrades  with  the  closely  allied  5. 
latifrons. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  and  Panama.  Five  specimens  were  seined 
at  Naos  Island  and  one  was  purchased  in  the  Panama  City  market.  The 
species  apparently  is  not  abundant. 

727.  Syacium  papillosum  (Linnaeus). 

Pleuronectes  papillosus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  271  (Brazil). 
Pleuronectes  aramaca  Donndorf,  Beitr.  zur  Ausgabe  des  Linn.  Natur- 

syst,  III,  1798,  386. 

Rhombus  aramaca  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  II,  II,  1829,  341. 
Rhombus  sole&formis  Agassiz,  in   Spix,   Pise.   Brasil.,   1831,  86,  PI. 

XLVII  (Atlantic  Ocean). 
Hippoglossus    intermedius   Ranzani,    Novi    Comment.    Ac.    Sci.    Inst. 

Bonon.,  IV,  1840,  14,  PI.  IV  (Brazil). 
Hemirhombus  soleoeformis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862, 

423- 
Hemirhombus  patulus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882, 

304  (Pensacola). 
Citharichthys  aramaca  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 

1882  (1883),  816. 

Citharichthys  patulus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI, 
1882  (1883),  964. 

Aramaca  papillosa  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  602. 
Aramaca  soleceformis  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  602. 


984     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Syacium  papillosum  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.   U.   S.   Nat.    Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2671,  PI.  CCCLXXXIII,  fig.  941. 

Head  2.66 ;  depth  2.33 ;  D.  82 ;  A.  63  to  70 ;  scales  50  to  57. 

This  species  does  not  occur  in  the  Panama  collection.  It  appears 
to  differ  from  5.  micrurum  in  having  a  much  broader  interorbital 
space  which  is  greater  than  the  long  diameter  of  the  eye  in  the  male 
but  about  equal  to  the  vertical  diameter  of  the  eye  in  the  female ;  the 
scales  are  probably  slightly  larger  and  the  ring-like  spots  or  ocelli  are 
wanting.  The  blind  side  is  said  to  be  wholly  or  partly  dusky,  espe- 
cially in  northern  specimens. 

Known  from  Charleston,  S.  C.,  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil. 

728.  Syacium  latif rons  (Jordan  &  Gilbert) . 

Citharichthys  latifrons  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  I, 
1881  (1882),  334  (Panama). 

Syacium  latifrons  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1886 
(1889),  271  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  2673;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  199. 

Head  3.9;  depth  2.15;  D.  89;  A.  66;  scales  57. 

Body  elliptical,  the  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  about  evenly  arched ; 
anterior  profile  concave  in  front  of  upper  eye,  strongly  convex  above 
eye;  head  rather  short  and  deep;  snout  short,  4.7  in  head;  eye  rather 
large,  4.7  in  head;  interorbital  broader  than  the  longest  diameter  of 
eye,  concave,  4.27  in  head;  mouth  moderate,  very  oblique,  the  lower 
jaw  included;  maxillary  rather  narrow,  scaled,  reaching  middle  of 
lower  orbit,  2.7  in  head;  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw  biserial,  the  anterior 
teeth  of  the  outer  series  somewhat  enlarged;  the  lower  third  of  ver- 
tical limb  of  preopercular  margin  free,  the  rest  adnate  and  scaled 
over;  pseudobranchiae  large;  gill-rakers  about  half  as  long  as  pupil, 
8  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  moderate,  rather  irregularly 
placed,  strongly  ctenoid  on  colored  side,  cycloid  on  blind  side ;  lateral 
line  without  arch;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  of  about  equal  height,  coter- 
minal ;  origin  of  dorsal  at  vertical  from  anterior  margin  of  lower  orbit ; 
caudal  fin  slightly  double  concave,  the  median  rays  longest;  ventral 
fins  moderate,  the  left  one  on  the  ventral  ridge;  pectoral  on  colored 
side  well  developed,  the  upper  two  rays  filamentous,  the  upper  one 
nearly  half  the  length  of  body  without  caudal  fin,  the  fin,  without  fila- 
ments, 1.35  in  head;  pectoral  on  the  blind  side  without  filaments,  a  little 
less  than  half  the  length  of  head. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OP  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       985 

Color  in  spirits  brownish,  with  darker  blotches,  blind  side  wholly 
pale ;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  with  dark  spots ;  pectoral  fin  of  colored 
side  with  3  dark  bars.  The  color  is  described  by  Jordan  &  Gilbert  in 
the  original  description,  as  follows :  "Head  and  body  light  brown,  with 
grayish  and  light  bluish  dots,  some  darker  areas  and  a  few  round  brown 
spots  ocellated  with  lighter.  Interorbital  space  with  a  vertical  brown 
bar  bordered  by  lighter.  Fins  similarly  marked,  the  dorsal  and  anal  with 
a  dark  blotch  on  each  eighth  or  tenth  ray,  the  pectoral  sometimes  with 
one  or  more  brownish  bars." 

The  present  collection  contains  a  single  specimen,  220  mm.  long, 
which  we  refer  to  this  species.  Many  of  the  color  markings  men- 
tioned in  the  description  of  the  "types"  are  not  visible  in  our  large 
preserved  specimen.  The  species  differs  from  S.  ovale  principally  in 
the  very  broad  interorbital  and  the  long  filamentous  pectoral  rays. 

Previously  known  only  from  the  "types"  from  Panama.  Our 
specimen  was  purchased  in  the  Panama  City  market.  It  apparently  is  a 
rare  species. 

281.  Genus  Citharichthys  Bleeker. 
Citharichthys  Bleeker,  Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,  XIII,  1862,  427  (type 

Citharichthys  cayennensis  Bleeker). 

Body  oblong ;  color  and  eyes  on  the  left  side ;  mouth  large,  the  max- 
illary reaching  well  beyond  anterior  margin  of  eye;  teeth  in  the  jaws 
small,  sharp,  none  on  vomer  and  palatines ;  gill-rakers  moderate,  slender ; 
scales  thin,  slightly  deciduous,  weakly  ctenoid ;  lateral  line  nearly 
straight;  origin  of  dorsal  in  advance  of  eyes;  ventral  of  colored  side  on 
ridge  of  abdomen;  no  anal  spine;  none  of  the  fins  produced;  vertebrae 
30  to  40.  This  genus  is  represented  by  4  species*  in  the  Panama  fauna. 
They  are  all  small  flounders  and  of  little  commercial  importance. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Eye  large,  about  3.75  in  head,  interorbital  space  broad,  nearly 
equal  to  half  the  diameter  of  the  large  eye;  gill-rakers  very 
short  and  slender,  less  than  diameter  of  pupil,  9  on  lower  limb 
of  first  arch.  platophrys,  p.  986. 

aa.  Eye  small,  about  4.5  to  9  in  head;  interorbital  space  narrow, 
never  much  broader  than  pupil;  gill-rakers  longer,  as  long  as 
or  longer  than  pupil,  n  to  14  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch. 

*Since  these  pages  were  prepared,  a  fifth  species,  C.  arenaceus  Evermann  & 
Marsh,  has  been  recorded  from  Colon  by  Fowler  (Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila., 
1916,  p.  405,  and  1917,  p.  136). 


986     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

b.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  long,  the  dorsal  with  78  to  86  rays,  the  anal 
with  58  to  65  rays;  eye  small,  about  7  to  9  in  head  in  speci- 
mens 160  mm.  in  length. 

c.  -  Scales  rather  large,  44  to  46  in  lateral  series ;  gill-rakers  rather 

numerous,  13  or  14  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch,     gilberti,  p.  987. 
cc.     Scales  slightly  smaller,  47  to   51   in  lateral  series;  gill-rakers 

fewer,  n  or  12  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch. 

spilopterus,  p.  988. 
bb.     Dorsal  and  anal  fins  shorter,  the  dorsal  with  74  rays,  the  anal 

with  54;  eye  larger,  about  5.5  in  head  in  specimens  160  mm. 

long;  gill-rakers  longest  near  the  angle  on  lower  limb  of  first 

arch,  13  in  number ;  scales  48.  evermanni  sp.  nov.,  p.  989. 

729.  Citharichthys  platophrys  Gilbert. 

Citliarichthys  platophrys  Gilbert,   Proc.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus.,   1890,  454 

(Albatross  Station  2799,  Panama  Bay,  29^  fathoms)  ;  Jordan  & 

Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2683;  Gilbert  & 

Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  200. 

"Head  3;  depth  2.  D.  78;  A.  62;  scales  43.  Body  ovate;  caudal 
fin  subsessile,  the  free  portion  of  caudal  peduncle  about  l/2  as  long  as 
diameter  of  pupil,  its  depth  J/§  length  of  head.  Mouth  very  oblique; 
maxillary  2^/2  in  head,  reaching  vertical  from  middle  of  lower  eye. 
Teeth  slender,  close  set,  in  a  single  series  in  each  jaw,  those  in 
front  of  upper  jaw  largest,  but  not  canine-like.  Eyes  large,  the  lower 
much  in  advance  of  the  upper,  their  horizontal  diameter  3^4  in  head. 
Interorbital  space  very  wide  for  the  genus,  concave,  divided  by  an 
oblique  ridge  running  backward  from  middle  of  upper  orbit;  inter- 
orbital  width  8^4  m  head,  nearly  y^  as  wide  as  eye.  Distance  from  tip 
of  snout  to  front  of  lower  eye  2/z  diameter  of  eye,  from  tip  of  snout 
to  upper  eye  Y$  head.  Gillrakers  short  and  very  slender,  less  than 
diameter  of  pupil,  9  present  on  horizontal  limb  of  outer  arch.  Scales 
large,  those  on  blind  side  weakly  ctenoid.  Dorsal  beginning  behind 
nostril  on  blind  side  of  snout,  its  longest  ray  2^  in  head;  pectoral  of 
eyed  side  long  and  narrow,  4  in  length,  containing  n  rays,  that  of 
blind  side  but  YZ  its  length;  ventrals  short;  caudal  rounded,  1^5  in 
head.  Color  in  spirits,  uniform  light  brownish  (olivaceous  in  life), 
without  distinctive  marks;  fins  somewhat  dusky;  ventral  of  eyed  side 
jet  black,  that  of  blind  side  blackish  on  distal  portion  of  inner  rays." 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  copied 
from  Jordan  &  Evermann. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       987 

Known  from  a  single  specimen  taken  in  Panama  Bay  at  Albatross 
Station  2799,  in  29^  fathoms. 

730.  Citharichthys  gilberti  Jenkins  &  Evermann. 

Citharichthys  spilopterus  Giinther,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  VI,  1869, 

471,  PI.  LXXX,  fig.  2  (not  of  Giinther,  1862)  ;  Jordan  &  Gilbert, 

Bull.  IJ.   S.  Fish  Comm.,  II,   1882    (1883),   108  &   in    (not  of 

Giinther) . 
Citharichthys  gilberti  Jenkins  &  Evermann,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1888,  157  (Guaymas,  Mexico)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac. 

Sci.,  IV,  1904,  200  (Panama  Bay). 
Citharichthys  sumichrasti  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm., 

XIV,  1886  (1889),  276  (Rio  Zanatenco,  Chiapas). 

Head  3.6  to  3.85;  depth  1.95  to  2.2;  D.  81  to  86;  A.  61  to  65; 
scales  44  to  46. 

Body  elongate,  the  dorsal  profile  not  especially  strongly  convex; 
head  moderate ;  snout  not  much  longer  than  eye,  4.2  to  4.8  in  head ; 
eye  moderate,  4.4  to  5.8 ;  interorbital  narrow,  the  orbital  ridges  coalesced, 
the  space  about  equal  to  pupil ;  mouth  very  oblique ;  maxillary  nearly  or 
quite  reaching  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  2.25  to  2.7  in  head ; 
teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series,  the  anterior  ones  somewhat  enlarged ; 
gill-rakers  rather  long  and  slender,  the  longest  ones  on  middle  of  lower 
limb,  13  or  14  below  angle  on  the  first  arch;  scales  rather  large,  thin, 
not  very  firm,  finely  ctenoid;  lateral  line  slightly  decurved;  origin  of 
dorsal  over  anterior  nostril,  the  outline  of  fin  without  a  definite  angle; 
caudal  fin  strongly  and  evenly  convex;  origin  of  anal  under  base  of 
pectorals,  similar  to  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  well  developed,  the  left  one 
on  edge  of  abdomen;  pectoral  fins  nearly  symmetrical,  the  one  on  the 
colored  side  apparently  slightly  the  larger,  1.95  to  2.3  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  with  indefinite  dark  blotches;  the  fins 
lighter  brown  than  the  body,  with  indefinite  dark  markings. 

This  species  is  represented  by  about  55  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  70  to  260  mm.  It  is  rather  common,  often  occurring  on  very 
muddy  bottom,  and  ascending  streams  to  brackish  water.  It  is  of  little 
commercial  importance,  because  of  the  small  size  attained. 

We  also  have  2  larval  specimens,  respectively  25  to  40  mm.  in 
length,  which  we  doubtfully  refer  to  this  species.  These  young  still 
have  the  eyes  on  opposite  sides,  although  the  cranium  has  started  to 
twist,  placing  the  right  eye  somewhat  higher  than  the  left.  The  lateral 
line  on  the  larger  specimen  is  partly  developed,  showing  that  it  is  not  of 
the  arched  type ;  scales  are  undeveloped ;  gill-rakers  are  present,  and  not 


988     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

much  shorter  than  the  eye;  the  anterior  rays  of  the  dorsal  fin  are  fila- 
mentous, reaching  nearly  to  base  of  caudal  in  the  larger  specimen, 
somewhat  shorter  in  the  smaller  one ;  the  left  ventral  is  situated  on  the 
ventral  ridge  and  is  fully  half  the  length  of  body,  the  right  ventral  is 
not  much  longer  than  the  snout;  the  pectoral  fins  are  short  and  equally 
developed.  The  left  side  has  some  dusky  spots  which  form  5  indefi- 
nite cross-bars ;  there  are  dusky  rings  on  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins.  These 
color  markings  are  all  more  distinct  on  the  larger  specimen. 

This  form  may  be  distinguished  from  C.  spilopterus  by  the  larger 
scales,  somewhat  longer  and  more  numerous  gill-rakers  and  by  the 
slightly  larger  eye.  The  last  character  is  most  noticeable  when  speci- 
mens of  like  size  are  compared. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  Lower  California  to  Peru.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Chame  Point,  Balboa,  Corozal,  Panama  and  Juan  Diaz. 

731.  Citharichthys  spilopterus  Giinther. 

Citharichthys  spilopterus  Gunther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  421 

(New  Orleans;  St.  Domingo;  Jamaica)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2685. 
Citharichthys  guatemalensis  Bleeker,  Versl.  Ak.  Amsterdam,  XV,  1863, 

452  (Guatemala). 
Hemirhombus  fuscus  Poey,  Syn.  Pise.  Cub.,  1868,  406  (Havana). 

Head  3.05  to  4.1 ;  depth  2.05  to  3;  D.  78  to  84;  A.  58  to  63;  scales 
47  to  51. 

Body  moderately  elongate,  the  dorsal  profile  anteriorly  scarcely  more 
convex  than  the  ventral;  head  comparatively  small;  snout  not  much 
longer  than  eye,  4.45  to  6.5  in  head;  eye  5  to  9.4;  interorbital  narrow, 
the  orbital  ridges  coalesced,  the  space  scarcely  as  broad  as  pupil ;  mouth 
large,  very  oblique,  the  jaws  curved;  maxillary  reaching  vertical  from 
posterior  margin  of  lower  eye,  2.4  to  3.05  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in 
a  single  series,  the  anterior  cnes  enlarged ;  gill-rakers  short  and  rather 
slender,  the  longest  ones  on  middle  of  lower  limb  of  arch,  none  of  them 
longer  than  pupil,  n  or  12  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  moderate, 
thin,  not  very  firm,  finely  ctenoid  (not  cycloid  as  stated  in  current 
descriptions)  ;  lateral  line  without  arch,  slightly  decurved ;  origin  of 
dorsal  over  anterior  nostril,  the  fin  without  angle;  caudal  fin  evenly 
rounded;  origin  of  the  anal  fin  under  base  of  pectorals,  similar  to  the 
dorsal;  ventral  fins  well  developed,  the  left  one  on  the  ridge  of  the 
abdomen ;  pectoral  fins  nearly  symmetrical,  the  one  on  the  colored  side 
apparently  usually  slightly  the  longer,  1.7  to  2.15  in  head. 


THE 

OF 
nH 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       989 

Color  in  alcohol  brownish,  with  indefinite  dark  spots  of  various  sizes 
and  variously  distributed ;  the  fins  light  brown,  with  small  dark  specks 
and  spots. 

This  species  is  very  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama  and  it 
is  usually  found  on  muddy  bottom.  It  ascends  streams  to  brackish 
water.  Numerous  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  27  to  170  mm., 
were  preserved.  It  does  not  reach  a  large  enough  size  to  be  of  much 
commercial  importance. 

Known  from  the  warmer  parts  of  the  American  shore  and  neigh- 
boring islands  from  New  Jersey  to  Brazil.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Toro  Point,  Mindi,  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

732.  Citharichthys  evermanni  sp.  nov.     (Plate  C.) 

Type  No.  81045,  U.  S.  N.  M. ;  length  162  mm. ;  Porto  Bello,  Panama. 

Head  3.65;  depth  1.9;  D.  74;  A.  54;  scales  48. 

Body  less  elongate  than  in  related  species,  the  dorsal  profile  strongly 
convex  at  nape,  much  more  strongly  convex  than  the  ventral  outline; 
head  rather  short;  snout  not  much  longer  than  eye,  4.5  in  head;  eye 
rather  large,  5.7;  interorbital  ridges  coalesced,  the  space  broader  than 
pupil ;  mouth  large,  very  oblique ;  maxillary  reaching  vertical  from  pos- 
terior margin  of  pupil,  2.25  in  head ;  teeth  in  the  jaws  in  a  single  series, 
the  anterior  ones  somewhat  enlarged;  gill-rakers  rather  slender,  those 
at  angle  of  arch  quite  as  long  as  those  on  median  portion  of  lower  limb, 
13  below  angle;  scales  thin,  not  very  firm,  weakly  ctenoid;  lateral  line 
very  slightly  decurved ;  origin  of  dorsal  over  anterior  nostril,  the  outline 
of  fin  convex,  without  angles ;  caudal  fin  evenly  rounded ;  origin  of  anal 
fin  slightly  behind  vertical  from  base  of  pectorals,  similar  to  the  dorsal ; 
ventral  fins  well  developed,  the  left  one  on  edge  of  abdomen ;  pectoral 
fins  moderate  and  about  of  equal  size,  2  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  uniform  dark  brown,  nearly  black;  the  fins  some- 
what lighter  brown,  with  indistinct  pale  specks. 

A  single  specimen,  162  mm.  in  length,  was  taken,  which  apparently 
is  the  type  of  a  new  species.  It  is  close  to  C.  spilopterus,  but  there  are 
several  small  differences  noticeable,  viz.,  the  dorsal  profile  anteriorly  is 
much  more  strongly  convex,  making  the  body  deeper  at  the  nape;  the 
dorsal  and  anal  fins  are  shorter;  the  eye  larger;  the  maxillary  longer; 
the  interorbital  broader;  the  gill-rakers  are  apparently  slightly  more 
numerous  and  longer  near  the  angle  of  the  arch ;  and  the  color  in  alcohol 
is  more  uniform  and  much  darker. 

Our  specimen,  the  type,  was  taken  at  Porto  Bello. 


990     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

282.  Genus  Azevia  Jordan. 

Azevia  Jordan,  in  Jordan  &  Goss,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1886 
(1889),  271  (type  Citharichthys  panamensis  Steindachner). 
Body  elliptical,  compressed ;  interorbital  very  narrow,  the  ridges 
coalesced ;  mouth  large,  oblique ;  teeth  on  both  jaws,  uniserial,  none  on 
vomer  or  palatines ;  gill-rakers  very  short  and  thick,  tubercle-like ;  lateral 
line  without  arch ;  scales  firm,  ctenoid  on  colored  side,  smooth  on  blind 
side ;  none  of  the  fins  especially  modified  or  with  elongate  rays ;  ven- 
trals  free  from  the  anal,  the  left  one  on  ventral  ridge;  color  normally 
on  the  left  side.    A  single  species  of  this  genus  is  known. 

733.  Azevia  panamensis  (Steindachner). 

Citharichthys  panamensis   Steindachner,    (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.   Wiss.  Wien, 
LXXII)  Ichth.  Beitr.,  Ill,  1875,  62  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Gilbert, 
Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  II,  1882  (1883),  108  &  in  (Panama). 
Azevia  panamensis  Jordan  &  Goss,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1886 
(1889),  272  (Panama)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2677,  PI.  CCCLXXXIV,  fig.  942  (Mazatlan) ;  Gilbert 
&  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  200  (Panama). 
Head  3.7  to  4 ;  depth  2.25  to  2.35 ;  D.  90  to  99 ;  A.  68  to  78 ;  scales 
76  to  91. 

Body  quite  elongate,  elliptical;  anterior  profile  evenly  convex;  head 
rather  short  and  deep ;  snout  short,  4  to  4.35  in  head ;  eye  4.6  to  4.9 ;  inter- 
orbital  very  narrow,  the  ridges  coalesced,  25  to  34  in  head ;  mouth  large, 
oblique;  the  upper  jaw  slightly  projecting;  maxillary  reaching  pos- 
terior margin  of  lower  eye,  2  to  2.1  in  head;  teeth  on  anterior  part  of 
jaw  rather  strong,  pointed;  gill-rakers  very  short,  not  longer  than 
broad,  tubercular,  surmounted  with  denticles,  8  to  10  on  lower  limb  of 
first  arch ;  scales  moderate,  the  median  portion  of  each  scale  on  colored 
side  strongly  ctenoid,  the  scales  on  the  blind  side  perfectly  smooth; 
origin  of  dorsal  slightly  in  advance  of  anterior  nostril,  none  of  the  rays 
very  high;  caudal  fin  ending  in  an  obtuse  angle,  the  outer  rays  not 
notably  longer  than  some  of  the  intermediate  ones;  origin  of  anal  at 
vertical  from  base  of  pectoral ;  ventral  fins  rather  small,  reaching  beyond 
origin  of  anal,  the  left  one  on  median  line  of  ventral  ridge;  pectoral 
fin  on  colored  side  rather  long  and  pointed,  1.65  to  1.85  in  head,  its 
fellow  much  shorter  and  bluntly  rounded. 

Color  of  preserved  specimens  brownish,  with  indefinite  darker 
blotches,  most  distinct  on  the  fins. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       991 

The  species  is  not  uncommon  and  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  Panama 
City  market.  We  preserved  8  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  225  to 
295  mm. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  were 
purchased  in  the  Panama  City  market. 

283.  Genus  Cyclopsetta  Gill. 

Cyclopsetta  Gill,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1888,  601  (type  Hemirhombus 

fimbriatus  Goode  &  Bean). 

This  genus  appears  to  differ  from  Azevia  only  in  having  smooth 
scales  on  the  colored  side  as  well  as  on  the  blind  side. 

734.  Cyclopsetta  querna  (Jordan  &  Bollman). 

Azevia  querna  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  174 

(Albatross  Stations  2800  and  2802,  Panama  Bay,  7  to  16  fathoms). 
Cyclopsetta  querna  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2675 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  200. 

Head  3.55  to  3.75;  depth  1.75  to  2.35;  D.  87  to  93;  A.  69  to  73; 
scales  92  to  101. 

Body  elongate,  elliptical;  anterior  profile  nearly  straight  over  the 
eyes,  rather  strongly  convex  at  nape ;  head  rather  short  and  deep ;  snout 
short,  4.5  to  5.2  in  head;  eye  5  to  7.1 ;  interorbital  wider  than  pupil  in 
adult  (230 mm.  and  upward  in  length),  the  ridges  coalesced,  12  to  18 
in  head;  mouth  large,  the  lower  jaw  included;  maxillary  reaching  well 
beyond  eye,  1.8  to  1.9  in  head;  teeth  in  jaws  uniserial,  a  few  of  the 
anterior  ones  in  upper  jaw  enlarged,  those  in  sides  of  jaws  rather  small, 
about  equally  developed  on  both  sides,  the  teeth  in  the  lower  jaw  fewer 
but  stronger  than  those  in  the  upper;  gill-rakers  short  and  blunt,  pro- 
vided with  sharp  denticles,  8  or  9  on  the  lower  limb  of  first  arch; 
scales  rather  small,  cycloid  on  both  sides;  origin  of  dorsal  in  front  of 
eye,  over  anterior  nostril,  none  of  the  rays  produced;  caudal  fin  very 
slightly  double  truncate,  the  median  rays  longest;  origin  of  anal 
slightly  behind  vertical  from  base  of  pectorals  coterminal  with  the  dor- 
sal, leaving  a  short  caudal  peduncle ;  ventral  fins  moderate,  about  equally 
developed,  the  left  one  on  ventral  ridge;  pectoral  fins  moderate,  the 
left  one  a  little  the  larger,  1.7  to  2  in  head. 

Color  in  alcohol  uniform  brownish;  fins  of  about  the  same  color  as 
the  body. 

This  species  is  frequently  seen  in  the  Panama  City  market  and  it  is  of 
some  value  as  food.  We  preserved  n  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  205  to  310  mm.  One  of  our  specimens  has  no  pectoral  fin  on 


992     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

the  blind  side,  not  even  a  rudiment  being  visible,  but,  in  as  much  as  we 
are  unable  to  detect  any  other  differences,  we  regard  it  as  an  abnormal 
specimen. 

Known  only  from  the  coast  of  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from 
the  Panama  City  market. 

284.  Genus  Etropus  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Etropus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881,  364  (type 

Etropus  crossotus  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Body  oval ;  eyes  and  color  on  left  side ;  head  small ;  eyes  small,  sepa- 
rated by  a  narrow  ridge ;  mouth  very  small ;  teeth  small,  none  on  colored 
side  in  upper  jaws;  vomerine  teeth  wanting;  scales  thin,  ctenoid  on  left 
side,  smooth  on  right  side ;  lateral  line  simple,  nearly  straight ;  origin  of 
dorsal  over  upper  orbit;  anal  without  spine;  left  ventral  on  ridge  of 
abdomen.  This  genus  differs  from  Citharichthys  only  in  the  smaller 
size  of  the  mouth  and  the  weaker  dentition. 

735.  Etropus  crossotus  Jordan  &  Gilbert. 

Etropus  crossotus  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1881,  364 

(Mazatlan)  ;  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1886 

(1889),  278;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2689,  PI.  CCCLXXXVI,  fig.  946;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir. 

Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  200  (Panama). 
Etropus  microstomus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,   1886,  29   (not 

Citharichthys  microstomus  Gill). 

Head  4.25  to  4.9;  depth  1.9  to  2.4;  D.  78  to  83;  A.  57  to  66; 
scales  43  to  49. 

Body  oval,  strongly  compressed,  the  ventral  and  dorsal  curves  nearly 
equal,  the  dorsal  profile  from  snout  to  nape  only  slightly  convex;  head 
very  small;  snout  short,  rather  pointed,  5.5  to  6.4  in  head;  eye  3.65 
to  4.5;  interorbital  space  very  narrow,  the  ridges  coalesced,  narrower 
than  pupil,  even  in  adult ;  mouth  small,  very  oblique ;  maxillary  reaching 
a  little  past  anterior  margin  of  lower  orbit,  3.5  to  4.5  in  head;  teeth 
small,  in  a  single  series,  wanting  on  colored  side  in  upper  jaw ;  gill-rakers 
shorter  than  pupil,  7  to  9  on  lower  limb  of  first  arch;  scales  rather 
large,  ctenoid  on  colored  side,  smooth  on  blind  side;  lateral  line  nearly 
straight ;  origin  of  dorsal  over  anterior  margin  of  upper  orbit,  the  dorsal 
and  anal  fins  about  equally  elevated  and  coterminal ;  caudal  fin  rounded ; 
ventral  fins  rather  small,  the  left  one  on  ventral  ridge;  pectoral  fin  of 
left  side  a  little  larger  than  the  right  one,  1.4  to  1.8  in  head. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       993 

Color  brownish,  with  many  irregular  dark  markings  on  body  and 
fins,  and  usually  with  a  well  defined  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal.  In 
a  series  of  45  the  caudal  spot  is  wanting  on  5  specimens,  and  on  others 
it  is  snrall  and  indistinct. 

The  Panama  collection  contains  73  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
30  to  105  mm.  We  have  2  larval  specimens,  respectively  14  and 
15  mm.  long,  which  we  refer  to  this  species.  These  juveniles  still  have 
the  eyes  on  the  opposite  sides,  although  the  right  one  is  nearing  the 
dorsal  ridge.  The  mouth  is  small ;  the  lateral  line  and  scales  are  undevel- 
oped; and  the  anterior  rays  of  the  dorsal  fin  are  somewhat  produced. 
The  left  ventral  is  very  large;  the  rays  of  the  vertical  fins  are  well 
developed,  but  those  of  the  pectoral  fins  are  not  distinguishable. 

We  have  a  single  specimen,  80  mm.  long,  from  the  Atlantic  coast 
of  Panama  which  is  somewhat  broader  and  has  a  more  strongly  convex 
dorsal  profile  than  specimens  of  the  same  size  from  the  Pacific  coast. 
We  have  also  examined  specimens  from  South  Carolina  and  Florida 
and  these  differences  appear  to  be  constant,  but  they  are  evident  only 
when  specimens  of  like  size  are  compared.  Our  Atlantic  specimen 
has  practically  the  same  color  markings  as  those  from  the  Pacific,  but 
the  dark  markings  are  smaller  and  less  distinct.  Were  it  not  for  the 
fact  that  Jordan  &  Evermann  state  that  they  examined  specimens  from 
several  localities  from  both  coasts  and  that  the  variations  with  respect 
to  form,  color  and  squamation,  which  were  noticed,  intergrade,  we 
should  regard  the  specimen  from  the  Atlantic  as  a  distinct  species. 

Known  from  the  Pacific  coast  from  Lower  California  to  Panama 
and  on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  North  Carolina  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil. 
Our  Pacific  coast  specimens  are  from  Chame  Point  and  Balboa  and  the 
Atlantic  specimen  is  from  Colon.  This  is  a  small  species,  which  is  of  no 
commercial  value,  as  it  rarely  reaches  a  length  of  150  mm. 

Family  LXXXVIII.    Soleidze. 

THE  SOLES. 

Body  oblong  or  elongate ;  mouth  small,  much  twisted  toward  the 
eyed  side ;  teeth  very  small  or  obsolete ;  eyes  small,  very  close  together, 
with  or  without  a  bony  ridge  between  them ;  preopercle  adnate,  concealed 
by  skin  and  scales ;  gill-openings  narrow,  the  membranes  adnate  to  the 
shoulder  girdle  above ;  ventral  fins  small,  one  or  both  wanting ;  pectoral 
fins  small,  one  or  both  wanting.  The  soles  are  mostly  rather  small  fishes 
and  they  are  numerous  in  the  warm  seas.  Those  species  that  reach  a 
sufficient  size  are  used  for  food  in  Panama. 


994     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Body   short,   ovate;   eyes   and   color   on   the   right   side;   eyes 
separated  by  a  distinct  bony  ridge. 

b.  Gill-openings    moderate,    confluent    below;    vertical    fins    well 
separated.  Achirus,  p.  994. 

bb.  Gill-openings  reduced  to  small  slits  below  angle  of  opercle, 
separate,  not  confluent;  caudal  fin  more  or  less  confluent  with 
the  dorsal  and  anal.  Apionichthys,  p.  1003. 

aa.  Body  elongate,  more  or  less  lanceolate;  eyes  and  color  on  the 
left  side;  eyes  very  close  together,  not  separated  by  a  distinct 
bony  ridge ;  vertical  fins  confluent ;  only  one  ventral  fin  present ; 
pectoral  fins  wanting.  Symphurus,  p.  1004. 

285.  Genus  Achirus  Lacepede. 

Achirus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  658  (type  Pleuronectes 

achirus  Linnaeus). 
Trinectes  Rafinesque,  Atlan.  Journ.  &  Friend  of  Knowl.,  I,  1832,  20 

(type  Pleuronectes  mollis  Mitchill). 
Grammichthys  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXIV,  1858,  94  (type  Achirus 

lincatus  Linnaeus). 
Monochirus  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXIV,  1858,  94  (type  Monochirus 

tnaculipinnis  Kaup;  not  of  Rafinesque,  1814). 
Baiostoma  Bean,  in  Goode  &  Bean,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  413 

(type  Baiostoma  brachialis  Bean). 

Body  oval,  bluntly  rounded  anteriorly;  head  small;  eyes  small, 
separated  by  a  bony  ridge;  mouth  small,  somewhat  turned  toward  the 
colored  side;  gill-openings  narrow,  not  confluent  below;  teeth  minute 
or  wanting;  color  and  eyes  on  the  right  side;  scales  very  strongly 
ctenoid,  similar  on  both  sides;  lateral  line  simple,  nearly  straight;  origin 
of  dorsal  over  snout;  anal  spine  wanting;  caudal  fin  free,  the  peduncle 
very  short;  ventral  fins  both  present,  the  one  of  colored  side  often 
nearly  continuous  with  the  anal;  pectoral  fin  of  blind  side  wanting, 
the  one  on  eyed  side  small  or  obsolete. 

KEY  TO  THE  SPECIES. 

a.  Pectoral  fin  on  right,  or  eyed,  side  present,  often  rudimentary 
(occasionally   wanting  in  fonsecensis  according  to   Gilbert   & 
Starks). 

b.  Body  with  13  to  20  pale  vertical  bars,  these  sometimes  wavy 
and  occasionally  ramifying  so  as  to  form  a  network;  no  hair- 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       995 

like  tentacles  on  the  scales  on  body;  D.  53  to  59;  A.  42  to  44; 
scales  85.  scutum,  p.  995. 

bb.  Body  never  with  pale  bars,  plain  uniform  brown  or  with  black 
vertical  bars  or  lines,  or  with  dark  spots  and  blotches. 

c.  Color  dark  brown;  head  and  body  with  n  to  13  distinct  black 
cross-bars,  at  least  as  broad  as  pupil  and  extending  on  the  vertical 
fins;  the  vertical  fins  paler  than  body  and  prominently  spotted 
with  black ;  no  hair-like  tentacles  on  scales  on  body ;  D.  58  to  60 ; 
A.  43  to  46 ;  scales  74  to  76.  fonsecensis,  p.  996. 

cc.  Color  either  plain  brown  or  the  head  and  body  with  very  narrow 
dark  vertical  lines,  never  with  prominent  black  bars;  the  fins 
not  notably  paler  than  body,  with  or  without  dark  spots. 

d.  Color  nearly  uniform  brown,  sometimes  with  indications  of  dark 
blotches  and  with  faint  dark  vertical  lines;  scales  on  colored 
side  with  black  hair-like  tentacles;  D.  59  to  63;  A.  46  to  48; 
scales  79  to  81.  klunzingeri,  p.  997. 

dd.  Color  brownish,  sometimes  with  dark  blotches  and  usually 
with  6  to  8  dark  vertical  lines ;  scales  on  colored  side  with  black 
hair-like  tentacles ;  D.  50  to  57 ;  A.  38  to  44. 

e.  Dorsal  rays  50  to  55 ;  anal  rays  38  to  42 ;  pectoral  rays  4  to  6. 

lineatus,  p.  998. 

ee.     Dorsal  rays  55  to  57;  anal  rays  41  to  44;  pectoral  rays  i  to  4. 

mazatlanus,  p.  1000. 
aa.     Pectoral  fins  entirely  wanting. 

f.  Body    with    distinct   white    spots;    scales    on    body   with    pale 
tentacles;  D.  49;  A.  35.  fimbriatus,  p.  1001. 

ff.  Body  never  with  white  spots;  with  or  without  dark  spots  and 
very  narrow  vertical  lines;  scales  on  body  without  tentacles; 
P.  53  to  57 ;  A.  40  to  43. 

g.  Scales  moderate,  72  to  78  oblique  series  above  lateral  line. 

fasciatus,  p.  1001. 
gg.     Scales  very  small,  90  to  98  oblique  series  above  lateral  lines. 

fluviatilis  sp.  nov.,  p.  1002. 

736.  Achirus  scutum  (Giinther). 

Solea  scutum  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  474  (Gulf  of 
Fonseca;  Panama). 

Achirus  scutum  Jordan  and  Goss,  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1886 
(1889),  314;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 
1898,  2700 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  202. 


996     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Head  3.33  to  3.6;  depth  1.35  to  1.45;  D.  53  to  59;  A.  42  to  44; 
scales  85. 

Body  ovate;  head  short  and  deep;  snout  round,  3.45  to  3.95  in 
head;  eyes  about  evenly  advanced  (in  one  of  our  specimens  they 
are  even,  in  another  the  upper  is  a  little  in  advance  of  the  lower  and 
in  a  third  specimen  the  lower  eye  is  slightly  in  advance  of  the  upper), 
5.35  to  6.35  in  head;  interorbital  nearly  as  broad  as  vertical  diameter 
of  eye  in  large  specimens,  proportionately  narrower  in  young,  10  to  13 
in  head;  mouth  rather  small;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of 
pupil,  2.75  to  3  in  head ;  lower  lip  of  eyed  side  fringed;  posterior  nostril 
ending  in  a  broad  tube  on  upper  lip;  head  and  body  with  strongly 
ctenoid  scales,  those  on  upper  margin  of  head  somewhat  enlarged,  blind 
side  of  head  with  very  short  fleshy  tentacles ;  lateral  line  nearly  straight, 
prominent  on  both  sides ;  origin  of  dorsal  over  tip  of  snout,  the  posterior 
rays  rapidly  decreasing  in  length;  caudal  fin  strongly  convex;  anal  fin 
similar  to  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  both  present,  the  one  on  eyed  side 
scarcely  separate  from  the  anal ;  pectoral  fin  completely  wanting  on  the 
blind  side,  rudimentary  on  the  eyed  side,  consisting  of  3  or  4  rays, 
the  longest  ray  notably  shorter  than  eye,  5.5  to  12  in  head. 

Color  very  dark  brown,  with  pale  vertical  bars  varying  in  number 
from  13  to  20;  the  bars  often  pursuing  a  wavy  course,  and  becoming 
forked  or  coalesced  with  an  adjacent  bar  or  so  wavy  and  broken  up  as 
to  form  a  net-work ;  these  bars  extending  on  the  vertical  fins  and  becom- 
ing especially  distinct  on  the  caudal  which  may  be  simply  barred  or  with 
wavy  lines  or  spotted. 

Only  3  specimens  were  preserved,  respectively  129,  138  and  170 
mm.  in  length.  This  is  a  well  marked  species  which  is  occasionally  seen 
in  the  fish  markets. 

Known  from  the  Gulf  of  Fonseca  to  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Panama. 

737.  Achirus  fonsecensis  (Giinther). 

Solea  fonsecensis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  475  (Gulf 

of  Fonseca). 
Solea  panamensis  Steindachner,  (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,  LXXIV) 

Ichth.  Beitr.,  V,  1876,  10,  PI.  II  (Panama). 
Solea  fischeri  Steindachner,  Denkschr.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,  XLI,  1879,  161, 

PL  II,  fig.  8  (Rio  Mamoni,  Panama). 
Achirus  fonsecensis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2699;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,   1904, 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       997 

20 1    (Panama  Bay)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp. 

Zool.,  XXXV,  1912,  162  (Panama). 
Achirus  panamensis  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2702. 
Achirus  fischeri  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2699. 

Head  3.5  to  3.9;  depth  1.7  to  1.95;  D.  58  to  60;  A.  43  to  46;  scales 
74  to  76. 

Body  ovate;  head  short;  snout  round,  3.15  to  3.55  in  head;  eye 
rather  small,  the  upper  slightly  in  advance  of  the  lower,  7.35  to  9  in 
head ;  interorbital  scaly,  nearly  as  broad  as  vertical  diameter  of  eye, 
12  to  1 8  in  head ;  mouth  moderate ;  maxillary  reaching  at  least  to 
anterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.6  to  2.8  in  head ;  the  lower  lip  on  eyed  side 
fringed ;  posterior  nostril  ending  in  a  broad  tube  on  edge  of  upper  lip ; 
head  and  body  with  strongly  ctenoid  scales,  those  on  upper  part  of 
head  somewhat  enlarged ;  blind  side  of  head  with  long  fleshy  tentacles ; 
lateral  line  nearly  straight,  present  on  both  sides;  origin  of  dorsal 
over  tip  of  snout,  the  posterior  rays  rapidly  decreasing;  caudal  fin 
rounded ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  both  well  developed, 
the  right  one  almost  continuous  with  the  anal;  pectoral  fin  wholly 
wanting  on  the  blind  side,  rudimentary  on  eyed  side,  consisting  of  I 
to  3  rays,  notably  shorter  than  eye,  10  to  18  in  head.  (According  to 
Gilbert  &  Starks  both  fins  occasionally  are  wanting,  but  this  is  not 
true  of  any  of  our  specimens;  as  most  of  our  specimens  have  I  small 
ray,  one  has  2  and  another  has  3  rays.) 

Color  very  dark  brown,  with  about  u  to  13  narrow  black  cross- 
bars on  head  and  body,  extending  on  dorsal  and  anal  fins;  the  vertical 
fins  paler  than  body  and  spotted  with  black. 

This  fish  is  not  uncommon  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  Panama.  It  is 
represented  in  the  present  collection  by  10  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  127  to  1 80  mm.  One  of  our  specimens  was  taken  in  the  Rio 
Tuyra  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Yape,  many  miles  distant  from  salt 
water. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama  Bay.  Our  specimens  are  from 
Panama  City  and  the  Rio  Tuyra. 

738.  Achirus  klunzingeri   (Steindachner). 

Solea  klunzingeri  Steindachner,  Denkschr.  Ak.  Wiss.  Wien,  XLII,  1880, 

96,  PI.  IX,  fig.  3  (Guayaquil). 
Achirus  klunzingeri  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2697;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  200 


998     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

(Panama  Bay)  ;  Kendall  &  Radcliffe,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool., 

XXXV,  1912,  162  (Panama). 

Head  3.3  to  3.6;  depth  1.45  to  1.65 ;  D.  59  to  63 ;  A.  46  to  48;  scales 
79  to  81. 

Body  ovate;  head  short;  snout  blunt,  3.4  to  3.6  in  head;  eye  small, 
the  upper  one  slightly  in  advance  of  the  lower,  8.2  to  n.8  in  head; 
interorbital  nearly  as  broad  as  eye,  completely  scaled,  10  to  13  in  head ; 
mouth  moderate;  maxillary  reaching  nearly  opposite  middle  of  lower 
eye,  2.7  to  2.95  in  head ;  lower  lip  on  eyed  side  fringed ;  posterior  nostril 
ending  in  a  broad  tube  on  upper  lip;  head  and  body  with  strongly 
ctenoid  scales;  lower  two-thirds  of  opercle  and  preopercle  and  sub- 
opercle  on  blind  side  naked ;  the  scales  on  left  side  of  head  not  imbricate 
and  smooth;  anterior  part  of  head  on  blind  side  with  short,  fleshy 
tentacles;  right  side  with  patches  of  fine,  black  hair-like  cilia;  lateral 
line  nearly  straight,  present  on  both  sides ;  origin  of  dorsal  over  snout ; 
caudal  strongly  convex ;  anal  similar  to  dorsal ;  ventral  fins  well . 
developed,  the  right  one  nearly  continuous  with  the  anal;  pectoral  fin 
of  blind  side  wholly  wanting,  the  right  one  present,  but  varying  greatly 
in  size  and  in  number  of  rays,  our  specimens  having  from  2  to  5  rays, 
the  longest  ray  4.1  to  8.9  in  head. 

Color  almost  uniform  brown,  with  indications  of  dark  blotches ;  a 
few  specimens  with  very  fine  and  faint  dark  cross-lines  on  body;  the 
blind  side  entirely  colorless  in  all  specimens  at  hand ;  one  specimen  with 
a  large  colorless  triangle  at  the  nape  and  a  smaller  one  on  abdomen ;  the 
fins  a  little  lighter  in  color  than  the  body. 

This  fish  is  not  infrequently  seen  in  the  Panama  City  market  and  it  is 
of  limited  commercial  value.  We  have  at  hand  6  adult  specimens,  ranging 
in  length  from  206  to  225  mm. 

Known  from  Panama  Bay  to  Guayaquil,  Ecuador.  Our  specimens 
are  from  Panama. 

739.  Achirus  lineatus  (Linnaeus).    (Plate  CI,  fig.  i.) 

Pleuronectes  lineatus  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  268  (Jamaica). 

Monochir  maculipinnis  Agassiz,  in  Spix,  Pise.  Brasil.,   1831,  88,  PI. 

XLIX  (Brazil). 
Monochir  lineatus  Quoy  &   Gaimard,  in   Freycinet,   Voy.  Uranie  et 

Physicienne,  Zool.,  1824,  238. 
Achirus  lineatus  Valenciennes,  in  D'Orbigny,  Voy.  Amer.  Merid.,  Poiss., 

V,  1847,  PI.  XVI,  fig.  2 ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2697,  PI.  CCCLXXXVI,  fig.  947 ;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac. 

Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136  (Colon). 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


ZOOLOGY,   VOL.   XV,    PL.   Cl. 


FIG.   1.     ACHIRUS  LINEATUS  (Linnaeus). 
From  a  specimen  50  mm.  in  length. 


FlG.  2.     ACHIRUS  MAZATLANUS  (Steinclachner). 
From  a  specimen  60  mm.  in  length. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.       999 

Solea  maculipinnis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  473. 
Baiostoma  brachialis  Bean,  in  Goode  &  Bean,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1882,  413  (Appalachicola  Bay  and  South  Florida). 
Baostoma  brachiale  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XVI,  1882 

(1883),  965. 
Achirus  comifer  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  31 

(Key  West,  Fla.). 

Achirus  brachialis  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  149. 
Achirus  maculipinnis  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  602. 

Head  3.1  to  3.6;  depth  1.5  to  2;  D.  50  to  55;  A.  38  to  42;  scales 
70  to  85. 

Body  ovate;  head  short,  deep;  snout  short,  3.15  to  4.3  in  head; 
eye  4.75  to  9.5 ;  interorbital  narrow,  varying  greatly  with  age,  nearly 
as  broad  as  eye  in  a  specimen  133  mm.  long,  not  wider  than  pupil  in 
specimens  20  mm.  in  length ;  mouth  small ;  maxillary  reaching  to  or 
a  little  beyond  middle  of  lower  eye,  2.6  to  3.5  in  head ;  the  lips  slightly 
fringed  on  eyed  side ;  nostril  ending  in  a  broad  tube  on  edge  of  upper 
lip ;  head  and  body  with  strongly  ctenoid  scales,  the  scales  on  upper 
margin  of  head  enlarged  and  with  strong  teeth,  some  of  the  scales 
on  colored  side  with  black  hair-like  appendages ;  lateral  line  nearly 
straight,  present  on  both  sides;  origin  of  dorsal  over  tip  of  snout; 
caudal  fin  rounded ;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  its  origin  a  little  in 
advance  of  posterior  margin  of  opercle;  ventral  fins  present,  symmet- 
rical; pectoral  fin  of  eyed  side  present,  consisting  of  4  to  6  rays,  the 
second  or  third  ray  from  the  top  longest,  varying  greatly  in  length 
among  specimens,  1.6  to  3.8  in  head. 

Color  brown,  with  considerable  variation  among  specimens,  some 
of  them  being  much  darker  than  others ;  the  darkest  specimens  uniform 
dark  brown,  the  paler  ones  with  dark  spots  on  the  body  and  fins  and 
some  of  them  also  with  about  6  very  narrow,  dark,  vertical  lines  crossing 
the  body;  traces  of  dark  vertical  lines  present  on  some  of  the  darker 
specimens  having  no  dark  spots. 

This  species  is  represented  by  50  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  20  to  185  mm.  It  is  the  most  common  sole  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  Panama.  This  fish  is  not  infrequently  seen  in  the  local  fish 
markets  and  it  has  a  small  commercial  value.  Specimens  exceeding 
200  mm.  in  length  are  rare. 

Known  from  the  Florida  Keys,  the  West  Indies  and  southward 
to  Uruguay.  Our  specimens  are  from  Mindi  Cut,  Colon  and  Porto 
Bello. 


iooo  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

740.  Achirus  mazatlanus  (Steindachner).     (Plate  CI,  fig.  2.) 
Solea  mazatlana  Steindachner,  (Sitzb.  k.  Ak.  'Wiss.  Wien,  LX)  Ichth. 

Notizen,  IX,  1869,  23  (Mazatlan). 

Solea  pilosa  Peters,  Monatsb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1869,  709  (Mazat- 
lan). 
Achirus  mazatlanus  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1885,  391 ;  Jordan 

&  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2698;  Kendall 

&    Radcliffe,    Memoir.    Mus.    Comp    Zool.,    XXXV,    1912,    161 

(Panama). 

Head  3.1  to  3.5;  depth  1.6  to  1.9;  D.  55  to  57;  A.  41  to  44;  scales 
70  to  76. 

Body  ovate ;  head  short ;  snout  round,  2.9  to  3.6  in  head ;  eye 
moderate,  about  evenly  advanced,  4.4  to  6.25  in  head;  interorbital 
less  than  half  the  diameter  of  eye,  II  to  19  in  head;  mouth  rather 
small ;  maxillary  reaching  anterior  margin  of  pupil,  2.6  to  3  in  head ; 
lower  lip  on  eyed  side  with  short  fringes ;  posterior  nostril  ending  in  a. 
prominent  tube  on  upper  lip;  scales  strongly  ctenoid,  wanting  on 
nearly  the  entire  opercle,  subopercle  and  preopercle  on  blind  side  in 
our  largest  specimen,  but  present  in  the  smaller  ones;  the  scales  im- 
bricate and  with  very  short  fleshy  tentacles  on  anterior  part  of  head 
on  blind  side ;  scales  on  the  right  side  with  clusters  of  fine,  black,  hair-like 
cilia,  these  much  more  numerous  in  some  specimens  than  others ;  lateral 
line  nearly  straight  and  prominent  on  both  sides;  origin  of  dorsal 
over  snout ;  caudal  fin  rounded ;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal ;  ventral 
fins  both  well  developed,  the  right  one  scarcely  distinct  from  the  anal ; 
pectoral  fin  wanting  on  blind  side,  rudimentary  on  eyed  side,  varying 
greatly  among  individuals,  consisting  of  I  to  4  rays. 

Color  uniform  brown,  with  about  8  fine,  black  cross-lines ;  the 
lighter  colored  specimens  with  large  black  blotches  on  body  and  small 
dark  spots  on  vertical  fins. 

We  refer  16  small  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  25  to  70  mm., 
to  this  species.  All  of  our  specimens  are  either  from  brackish  or 
fresh  water.  This  fish  is  very  closely  related  to  A.  lineatus  from  the 
Atlantic,  differing  only  in  the  somewhat  longer  dorsal  and  anal  fins 
and  in  the  more  feebly  developed  pectoral  fin.  Much  variation  in 
color  occurs  in  both  species,  but  no  constant  differences  are  discern- 
able. 

Known  from  Lower  California  to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are 
from  the  Rio  Chame,  Rio  Chorrera,  Rio  Grande,  Rio  Marte  Arnade, 
and  Rio  Juan  Diaz. 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


ZOOLOGY,   VOL.   XV,    PL.   Cll. 


FIG.    1.     ACHIRUS  FIMBRIATUS  (Giinther). 
From  a  specimen  -o  mm.  in  length. 


FIG.  2.    ARCHIRUS  FLUVIATILIS  sp.  nov. 

From  the  type  50  mm.  in  length. 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1001 

741.  Achirus  fimbriatus  (Giinther).     (Plate  CII,  fig.  i.) 

Solea  fimbriata  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  477  (Gulf 

of  Fonseca). 
Achirus  fimbriatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2700. 

Head  3.54;  depth  1.5;  D.  49;  A.  35;  scales  74. 

Body  ovate;  head  short,  deep;  snout  slightly  overhanging  mouth, 
forming  a  short  hook,  3  in  head;  eye  extremely  small,  the  upper  in 
advance  of  the  lower,  about  13  in  head ;  interorbital  space  fully  equal 
to  diameter  of  eye ;  mouth  small ;  maxillary  reaching  under  lower  eye, 
2.36  in  head ;  lower  lip  on  eyed  side  fringed ;  scales  strongly  ctenoid, 
enlarged  on  anterior  part  of  head,  wanting  on  lower  two-thirds  of 
opercle  on  blind  side;  scales  on  body  and  fins  with  many  pale  cirri, 
these  most  numerous  on  anterior  part  of  blind  side  of  head,  but  else- 
where more  numerous  on  eyed  side  than  blind  side ;  lateral  line  nearly 
straight,  prominent  on  both  sides ;  origin  of  dorsal  over  tip  of  snout ; 
caudal  fin  rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal;  ventral  fins  well 
developed,  the  right  one  scarcely  distinct  from  the  anal;  pectoral  fins 
entirely  wanting. 

Color  dark  brown,  with  round  or  elongate  white  spots,  varying 
somewhat  in  size,  scattered  over  the  head  and  body  and  on  the  fins; 
caudal  fin  paler  than  the  body,  causing  the  white  spots  to  become  in- 
distinct; these  spots  more  or  less  coalesced  on  the  distal  parts  of  the 
dorsal  and  anal  fins,  forming  white  streaks. 

A  single  specimen,  70  mm.  long,  which  undoubtedly  belongs  to 
this  little  known  species,  was  taken  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie  at  Chame 
Point  and  it  forms  the  basis  for  the  above  description.  Our  specimen 
is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  type  and  only  specimen  heretofore 
recorded,  but  it  does  not  vary  greatly  from  the  original  description, 
except  that  the  type  is  said  to  have  no  tentacles  on  the  left  side  of  the 
head  which  our  specimen  possesses,  and  no  mention  is  made  of  the 
many  tentacles  elsewhere  on  the  body. 

Previously  known  only  from  the  Gulf  of  Fonseca,  the  range  now 
being  extended  to  Panama  Bay.  The  specimen  at  hand  is  from  Chame 
Point. 

742.  Achirus  fasciatus  Lacepede. 

Achirus  fasciatus  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  IV,  1803,  659,  662 
(Charleston,  S.  C.)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2700,  PI.  CCCLXXXVII,  fig.  948. 


ioo2  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Pleuronectes  mollis  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  &  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y. ;  I,  1815, 

388,  PI.  II,  fig.  4  (New  York). 
Pleuronectes  apoda  Mitchill,  Amer.  Monthly  Mag.,  II,  1818,  244  (Straits 

of  Bahama). 
Trinectes  scabra  Rafinesque,  Atlan.  Journ.  &  Friend  of  Knowl.,  I,  1832, 

20  (Pennsylvania,  in  fresh  water). 
Solea  brownii  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  477  (New 

Orleans ;  Texas) . 

Head  2.87  to  4;  depth  1.7  to  1.95;  D.  53  to  55;  A.  40  to  42;  scales 
72  to  78. 

Body  broad;  head  short  and  deep;  snout  very  short,  3.4  to  5.7  in 
head;  eye  8.3  to  10.5;  interorbital  about  10;  mouth  small;  the  maxil- 
lary reaching  just  past  anterior  margin  of  lower  eye,  2.65  to  3.75  in 
head;  lower  lip  on  eyed  side  fringed;  nostril  ending  in  a  broad  tube 
on  edge  of  upper  lip;  head  and  body  with  strongly  ctenoid  scales, 
those  on  upper  margin  of  head  enlarged  and  with  prominent  teeth, 
none  of  the  scales  with  hair-like  or  filamentous  appendages ;  lateral 
line  present  on  both  sides;  origin  of  dorsal  over  tip  of  snout,  the  fin 
about  evenly  convex;  caudal  fin  round;  anal  fin  similar  to  dorsal,  its 
origin  under  vertical  of  opercular  margin;  ventral  fins  present,  the 
right  one  scarcely  separate  from  anal;  pectoral  fins  wholly  wanting. 

Color  of  young  specimen,  30  mm.  long,  dark  brownish,  with  a 
single  dark  vertical  bar  at  shoulder  and  many  dark  spots  on  body 
and  fins;  adult,  165  mm.  long,  plain  brown,  with  12  black  cross-lines 
on  head  and  body. 

Two  specimens,  30  and  165  mm.  in  length,  occurring  in  the  present 
collection,  we  refer  to  this  species.  One  was  taken  in  a  muddy,  fresh 
water  creek  and  the  other  from  strictly  salt  water  along  shore. 

Known  from  Massachusetts  to  Texas,  the  range  now  being  ex- 
tended to  Panama.  Our  specimens  are  from  Mindi  Creek  and  Toro 
Point,  Canal  Zone. 

743.  Achirus  fluviatilis  sp.  nov.     (Plate  CII,  fig.  2.) 

Type  No.  81667,  U.  S.  N.  M.;  length  50  mm.;  Rio  Juan  Diaz, 
Panama. 

Head  3.25  to  3.4;  depth  1.8  to  1.9;  D.  53  to  57;  A.  41  to  43; 
scales  90  to  98. 

Body  ovate;  head  short  and  deep;  snout  round,  3.25  to  3.95  in 
head;  eyes  moderate,  the  upper  one  a  little  in  advance  of  the  lower, 
4.4  to  5.4  in  head;  interorbital  space  about  half  the  eye  in  specimens 
50 mm.  long;  mouth  rather  small;  maxillary  reaching  a  little  beyond 


SEPT.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1003 

anterior  margin  of  eye,  2.5  to  2.85  in  head;  lower  lip  on  eyed  side 
with  short  fringes;  scales  on  head  and  body,  none  of  them  having 
hair-like  cilia;  anterior  margin  of  head  with  short  tentacles;  lateral 
line  nearly  straight,  prominent  on  both  sides ;  origin  of  dorsal  over 
snout;  caudal  rounded;  anal  similar  to  dorsal;  ventral  fins  well  de- 
veloped, the  right  one  scarcely  distinct  from  the  anal;  pectoral  fins 
entirely  wanting. 

Color  brownish,  head  and  body  crossed  by  about  10  dark  cross- 
lines,  and  with  large  dark  blotches ;  the  fins  with  small  dark  spots,  these 
most  distinct  on  the  caudal  fin. 

This  species  is  represented  by  25  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  25  to  50  mm.  It  is  very  closely  related  to  A.  fasciatus  from  the 
Atlantic,  from  which  it  appears  to  differ  principally  in  the  smaller 
scales.  All  of  our  specimens  were  taken  in  fresh  water,  from  streams 
below  the  head  of  tide. 

Specimens  were  secured  in  the  Rio  Juan  Diaz,  Rio  Chorrera,  and 
in  the  rios  Mamoni,  Culebra  and  Calobre,  tributaries  of  the  Rio  Bayano. 

286.  Genus  Apionichthys  Kaup. 

Apionichthys  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXIV,  1858,  104  (type  Apionich- 
thys dumerili  Kaup). 

Soleotalpa  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  489  (type  Soleo- 
talpa  unicolor  Giinther). 

This  genus  differs  from  Achirus  in  having  the  gill-openings  reduced 
to  slight  slits  below  angle  of  opercle;  the  left  ventral  is  rudimentary, 
being  composed  of  only  2  or  3  rays;  the  right  ventral  begins  at  the 
chin  and  is  confluent  with  the  anal;  the  pectoral  fins  are  very  small 
or  wanting;  and  the  caudal  fin  is  more  or  less  confluent  with  the 
dorsal  and  anal;  small  ctenoid  scales  are  present  and  the  lateral  line  is 
straight. 

745.  Apionichthys  dumerili  Kaup. 

Apionichthys  dumerili  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXIV,  1858,  104   (no 

locality)  ;  Eleeker,  Nederl.  Tijdsch.  Dierk.,  II,  1865,  307. 
Soleotalpa  unicolor  Giinther,  Cat.   Fish.   Brit.   Mus.,  IV,   1862,  489 

(West  Indies). 
Apionichthys  nebulosus  Peters,  Monatsb.  k.  Ak.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1869, 

709  (Surinam). 
Apionichthys  unicolor  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2702. 


ioo4  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Head  4.5;  depth  2.75;  D.  76  to  78;  A.  56  or  57;  scales  92  to  100. 

Body  very  flat  and  thin ;  snout  bent  downward,  forming  a  hook 
overhanging  the  mouth;  eyes  very  small,  being  mere  points;  inter- 
orbital  rather  broad;  cleft  of  mouth  curved;  gill-openings  reduced  to 
small  slits,  the  membrane  being  attached  to  the  throat ;  origin  of  dorsal 
over  tip  of  snout,  slightly  connected  with  the  caudal;  caudal  fin  quite 
pointed;  anal  fin  similar  to  the  dorsal;  left  ventral  fin  rudimentary, 
consisting  of  2  or  3  rays,  the  right  ventral  beginning  at  chin  and 
continuous  with  the  anal. 

Color  brownish,  mottled  with  dark  spots,  or  freckled  with  dark 
brown  specks. 

Recorded  from  the  West  Indies  and  the  coast  of  Brazil.  It  is  not 
yet  recorded  from  Panama  and  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above 
description  is  compiled  from  published  accounts. 

287.  Genus  Symphurus  Rafinesque. 

Symphurus  Rafinesque,  Ind.  d'ltt.  Sicil.,  etc.,  1810,  13,  52  (type  Sym- 
phurus nigrescens  Rafinesque). 

Plagusia  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.  I,  II,  1817,  224  (type  Pleuronectes 
plagiusa  Linnaeus;  name  preoccupied  in  Crustaceans,  Latreille, 
1806). 

Plagiusa  Bonaparte,  Icon.  Fauna  Ital.,  Pesce,  III,  1837,  fasc.  120  (type 
Pleuronectes  plagiusa  Linnaeus;  substitute  for  Plagusia,  preoccu- 
pied). 

Bibronia  Cocco,  Intor.  Alcun.  Pesci  Messina,  1844,  15  (type  Bibronia 
ligulata  Cocco). 

Aphoristia  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXIV,  1858,  106  (type  Achirus 
ornatus  Lacepede). 

Glossichthys  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1861,  Suppl.,  51  (type 
Pleuronectes  plagiusa  Linnaeus). 

Ammofileurops  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  IV,  1862,  490  (type 
Plagusia  lactea  Bonaparte). 

Acedia  Jordan,  in  Jordan  &  Goss,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XIV,  1886 
(1889),  321  (type  Aphoristia  nebulosus  Goode  &  Bean). 
Body  quite  elongate ;  eyes  and  color  on  left  side ;  eyes  small,  very 

close  together,  without  distinct  interorbital  ridge;  mouth  rather  small, 

twisted  toward  the  blind  side ;  teeth  little  developed,  in  villiform  bands ; 

gill-openings  rather  small,  the  membranes  joined  together  below  and 

free  from  the  isthmus;  scales  ctenoid;  lateral  line  wanting;  vertical 


SPET.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1005 

fins  confluent ;  only  one  ventral  fin  present,  situated  on  ridge  of  abdo- 
men ;  pectoral  fins  wanting,  at  least  in  adult. 

KEY   TO   THE    SPECIES. 

a.  Body  moderately  elongate,  depth  3.4  to  4;  head  4.6  to  5.4; 
D.  86  to  92;  A.  72  to  80;  scales  88  to  92;  body  usually  with 
dark  cross-bars,  often  with  dark  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales ; 
dorsal  and  anal  fins  usually  black,  at  least  posteriorly. 

plagusia,  p.  1005. 

aa.  Body  very  elongate,  depth  3.7  to  4.4;  head  4.9  to  5.6;  D.  98 
to  105;  A.  83  to  86;  scales  90  to  95;  body  usually  with  dark 
cross-bars  and  with  a  dark  blotch  on  opercle,  often  with  dark 
lines  along  the  rows  of  scales;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  usually 
black,  at  least  posteriorly.  elongatus,  p.  1006. 

aaa.  Body  quite  elongate,  depth  3.7  to  4.2;  head  4.3  to  4.6;  D.  90 
to  100;  A.  70  to  79;  scales  88  to  100;  body  with  3  or  4  broad 
black  cross-bars,  and  distinct  dark  lines  along  the  rows  of 
scales;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  black  posteriorly.  leei,p.  1007. 

aaaa.  Body  elongate,  depth  3.3  to  3.5;  head  4.7  to  5.1 ;  D.  88  to  90; 
A.  74  to  76;  scales  102  to  109;  body  with  irregular  dark  bars 
and  blotches,  posteriorly  with  indications  of  grayish  bars,  no 
dark  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales ;  dorsal  and  anal  dusky 
posteriorly  and  with  3  or  4  prominent  jet  black  spots. 

atramentatus •,  p.  1008. 

aaaaa.  Body  rather  deep,  the  depth  3.3  to  3.4;  head  5.25  to  5.7; 
D.  84  to  97;  A.  78  to  85 ;  scales  106  to  114;  body  usually  with 
black  cross-bars  and  dark  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales ;  dorsal 
and  anal  fins  posteriorly  black.  atricaudus,  p.  1009. 

746.  Symphurus  plagusia  (Bloch  &  Schneider). 

Pleuronectes   plagusia   Bloch   &    Schneider,    Syst.    Ichth.,    1801,    162 

(Jamaica). 
Achirus  ornatus  Lacepede,   Hist.   Nat.   Poiss.,   IV,    1803,  659    (on  a 

specimen  "presented  by  Holland  to  France"). 
Plagusia  tessellata  Quoy  &  Gaimard,   in   Freycinet,   Voy.   Uranie  et 

Physicienne,  Zool.,  1824,  240  (Rio  de  Janeiro). 
Plagusia  brasiliensis  Agassiz,  in  Spix,  Pise.  Brasil.,  1829,  89,  PI.  L 

(Brazil). 

Aphoristia  ornata  Kaup,  Archiv.  Naturg.,  XXIV,  1858,  106. 
Aphoristia  plagiusa  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1886,  53  (not  of 

Linnaeus). 


ioo6  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Symphurus  plagusia  Jordan  &  Evermann,   Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XL VII,  1898,  2709;  Fowler,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1917,  136 

(Colon). 

Head  4.6  to  5.4;  depth  3.4  to  4;  D.  86  to  92;  A.  72  to  80;  scales 
88  to  92. 

Body  quite  elongate;  head  short,  rounded  anteriorly;  snout  3.5  to 
4;  eyes  rather  small,  very  close  together,  the  upper  in  advance  of  the 
lower,  7.2  to  10  in  head;  mouth  moderate;  maxillary  reaching  past 
middle  of  lower  eye,  3.5  to  4  in  head;  scales  covering  entire  body, 
reduced  on  head;  origin  of  dorsal  over  eye;  caudal  fin  pointed,  con- 
fluent with  the  dorsal  and  anal;  a  single  ventral  fin  present,  situated 
on  abdominal  ridge,  well  separated  from  the  anal,  Consisting  of  4 
rays;  pectoral  fins  wanting. 

Color  dark  brown  to  pale  brown,  usually  with  black  cross-bars ;  the 
paler  specimens  freckled  with  brown  specks ;  some  specimens  with  indi- 
cations of  dark  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales ;  the  vertical  fins  mostly 
black  in  the  darker  colored  specimens,  only  slightly  dusky  in  the  lighter 
specimens. 

This  species  is  not  uncommon  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama 
where  it  occurs  on  muddy  bottom.  It  is  represented  by  14  specimens, 
ranging  in  length  from  50  to  95  mm.  We  have  compared  our  specimens 
with  examples  from  Port  Tampa,  Fla.,  which  appear  to  have  larger 
scales  (72  to  78)  and  somewhat  shorter  dorsal  (84  to  86)  and  anal 
(69  to  71)  fins.  The  present  species,  therefore,  is  regarded  here  as 
distinct  from  S.  plagiusa,  although  the  examination  and  comparison 
of  more  specimens  may  reveal  intermediate  forms. 

This  species  as  here  understood  ranges  from  the  West  Indies 
southward  to  the  coast  of  Uruguay.  Our  specimens  are  from  Colon 
and  Porto  Bello. 

747.  Symphurus  elongatus  (Giinther). 

Aphoristic,  ornata  var.  elongata  Giinther,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  London, 

VI,  1869,  473  (Panama). 
Aphoristia  elongata  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bull.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  II,  1882 

(1883),  in  (Panama). 
Symphurus  elongatus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.   S.   Nat.   Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2707;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  203  (Panama  Bay). 

Head  4.9  to  5.6;  depth  3.7  to  4.4;  D.  98  to  105;  A.  83  to  86;  scales 
90  to  95. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1007 

Body  very  elongate;  head  rather  short,  rounded  anteriorly;  snout  4 
to  6  in  head;  eyes  very  close  together,  without  distinct  interorbital 
ridge,  the  upper  one  a  little  in  advance  of  the  lower,  9  to  11.5  in  head; 
mouth  curved ;  maxillary  reaching  under  middle  of  lower  eye,  3.4  to  3.6 
in  head ;  scales  ctenoid,  covering  entire  body,  reduced  on  anterior  part 
of  head;  origin  of  dorsal  over  eye;  caudal  fin  pointed,  confluent  with 
the  dorsal  and  anal ;  only  one  ventral  present,  situated  on  ridge  of 
abdomen,  well  separated  from  the  anal,  consisting  of  4  or  5  rays; 
pectoral  fins  wanting. 

Color  brown,  sometimes  more  or  less  mottled,  and  usually  with 
black  cross-bars ;  one  of  our  specimens  plain  brown,  with  no  indication 
of  dark  bars  or  other  markings,  except  a  dark  blotch  on  lower  part  of 
opercle;  usually  with  an  indication  of  dark  lines  along  the  rows  of 
scales;  vertical  fins  mostly  black  in  the  adult,  only  the  caudal  black  in 
the  young. 

Only  3  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  50  to  225  mm.,  were 
preserved,  but  we  have  had  other  specimens  from  Panama  for  compar- 
ison. This  fish  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  market  where  our  largest 
specimens  were  secured.  The  species  is  closely  related  to  S.  plagusia 
of  the  Atlantic,  but  the  specimens  at  hand  have  longer  dorsal  and  anal 
fins  and  somewhat  smaller  scales.  The  present  species  also  appears  to 
reach  a  larger  size. 

Recorded  from  the  Pacific  coast  of  Central  America.  Our  specimens 
are  from  the  Panama  City  market. 

748.  Symphurus  leei  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Symphurus  leei  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  178 
(Albatross  Stations  2800,  2802,  2803  and  2804,  Panama  Bay)  ;  Jor- 
dan &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2708;  Gilbert  & 
Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  204. 

Head  4.3  to  4.6;  depth  3.7  to  4.2;  D.  90  to  100;  A.  70  to  79;  scales 
88  to  loo. 

Body  quite  elongate;  head  large;  snout  short,  blunt,  6.6  to  7.1  in 
head ;  eyes  moderate,  very  close  together,  the  upper  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  lower,  7.4  to  8.3  in  head ;  mouth  little  curved ;  maxillary  reaching 
nearly  to  posterior  margin  of  eye,  3.6  in  head ;  scales  small,  less  firm 
than  in  related  species,  many  of  them  being  lost  from  specimens  at 
hand,  closely  covering  head  and  body;  origin  of  dorsal  over  upper  eye; 
caudal  fin  pointed,  confluent  with  the  dorsal  and  anal;  a  single  ventral 
fin  present,  inserted  on  ventral  ridge,  under  edge  of  gill-membranes,  well 


ioo8  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

separated  from  the  anal,  consisting  of  3  or  4  rays ;  pectoral  fins  entirely 
wanting. 

Color  brownish,  speckled  with  darker  and  with  3  or  4  broad  black 
cross-bars ;  the  rows  of  scales  without  distinct  lines ;  the  posterior  part 
of  vertical  fins  black. 

This  species  was  taken  in  Panama  Bay  by  the  Albatross  but  it  was 
not  seen  there  by  us.  The  above  description  is  based  upon  specimens, 
ranging  in  length  from  90  to  115  mm.,  taken  at  Albatross  Station 
2804.  This  fish  may  be  distinguished  from  related  species  by  the 
longer  head  and  the  larger  opercular  flap.  The  scales  are  also  less 
firmly  adherent  than  in  the  closely  related  forms. 

Known  only  from  specimens  dredged  by  the  Albatross  in  Panama 
Bay  at  Stations  2800,  2802,  2803  and  2804,  in  depths  ranging  from  7 
to  51.5  fathoms. 

749.  Symphurus  atramentatus  Jordan  &  Bollman. 

Symphurus  atramentatus  Jordan  &  Bollman,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

1889,  177  (Panama  Bay,  Albatross  Stations  2795,  2797  and  2805)  ; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2706; 

Carman,  Memoir.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.,  XXIV,  1899,  229  (Panama 

Bay)  ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  203. 

Head  4.7  to  5.1 ;  depth  3.3  to  3.5 ;  D.  88  to  90;  A.  74  to  76;  scales 
102  to  109. 

Body  elongate;  head  small;  snout  short,  the  point  overhanging 
mouth,  4.8  to  6 ;  eyes  very  close  together,  without  interspace,  the  upper 
a  little  in  advance  of  the  lower,  6  to  6.9  in  head;  mouth  moderate; 
maxillary  reaching  past  pupil  of  lower  eye,  4.2  to  4.5  in  head ;  scales  quite 
firm,  small,  strongly  ctenoid,  covering  entire  head  and  body;  origin 
of  dorsal  over  anterior  part  of  upper  eye ;  caudal  fin  pointed,  confluent 
with  the  dorsal  and  anal ;  a  single  ventral  fin  present,  inserted  on  ventral 
ridge,  under  margin  of  gill-membranes ;  pectoral  fins  wanting. 

Color  light  brown,  irregularly  barred  and  blotched  with  darker ;  also 
with  indications  of  grayish  bars,  most  distinct  on  the  posterior  part 
of  body ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  pale  anteriorly,  becoming  somewhat  dusky 
posteriorly ;  each  fin  anteriorly  with  4  to  7  dusky  areas  covering  3  or  4 
rays,  posteriorly  with  3  or  4  prominent  jet  black  spots. 

This  species  was  not  taken  by  us.  It  is  here  described  from  5 
specimens,  ranging  in  length  from  90  to  105  mm.,  taken  by  the  Albatross 
in  Panama  Bay  at  Station  2795.  The  species  is  closely  related  to 
S.  atricaudus,  from  which  it,  however,  is  readily  distinguished  by  the 
coloration.  We  are  unable  to  verify  the  statement  that  the  eyes  and 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1009 

scales  of  this  species  are  larger,  as  stated  by  authors,  for  these  characters 
intergrade  and,  if  the  differences  exist,  the  fact  could  be  determined  only 
by  the  examination  of  large  series. 

Known  from  Panama, Bay  and  the  Galapagos  Islands. 

748.  Symphurus  atricaudus  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Aphoristia  atricauda  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1880,  23 

(San  Diego)  ;  Eigenmann,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Ac.  Sci.,  VII,  1894,  632 

(Panama). 
Symphurus  atricaudus  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2707;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 

1904,  204. 

Head  5.25  to  5.7 ;  depth  3.3  to  3.4 ;  D.  84  to  97 ;  A.  78  to  85 ;  scales 
1 06  to  114. 

Body  rather  deep;  head  short;  snout  blunt,  5.45  to  6  in  head;  eyes 
moderate,  very  close  together,  no  distinct  interorbital  ridge;  the  upper 
eye  a  little  in  advance  of  the  lower,  6  to  6.9  in  head ;  mouth  somewhat 
curved;  maxillary  reaching  under  middle  of  eye,  4.2  to  4.5  in  head; 
scales  small  and  firm,  closely  covering  entire  head  and  body;  origin 
of  dorsal  over  upper  eye ;  caudal  fin  pointed,  confluent  with  the  dorsal 
and  anal;  a  single  ventral  present,  inserted  on  ridge  under  edge  of 
gill-membranes,  well  separated  from  the  anal,  consisting  of  4  rays; 
pectoral  fins  entirely  wanting. 

Color  brownish,  usually  with  dark  cross-bars  and  with  streaks  along 
the  rows  of  scales ;  the  streaks  formed  by  dark  spots  on  the  scales ; 
vertical  fins  black  posteriorly. 

This  species  has  been  listed  from  Panama  by  Eigenmann,  but  it  has 
not  been  taken  there  by  recent  collectors.  The  above  description  is 
based  upon  specimens  from  the  National  Museum  collection,  taken  at 
San  Diego,  Cal.,  ranging  in  length  from  85  to  no  mm.  The  species 
appears  to  differ  from  6\  elongatus  in  the  deeper  body,  smaller  scales 
and  in  the  slightly  longer  dorsal  fin. 

Known  from  San  Diego,  Cal.,  to  Panama  Bay. 

Order  XV.     Pediculati. 
Family  LXXXIX.  Antennariidae. 

THE  FROG-FISHES. 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed ;  head  short,  robust ;  mouth 
very  oblique  or  vertical;  lower  jaw  in  advance  of  the  upper;  preinax- 


ioio  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

illaries  protractile;  gill-opening  small,  at  or  behind  base  of  lower  rays 
of  pectoral;  skin  naked,  smooth  or  prickly;  spinous  dorsal  consisting 
of  i  to  3  separate  spines,  the  first  one  usually  tentacle-like;  the  soft 
dorsal  long,  larger  than  anal;  ventral  fins  present,  jugular,  rather  close 
together ;  pectoral  fins  with  a  sort  of  wrist,  forming  an  elbow-like  angle 
with  the  rest  of  the  fin.  A  family  of  peculiarly  shaped  fishes  of  the 
tropical  seas,  most  of  the  members  living  in  floating  seaweed  with  which 
they  sometimes  appear  to  be  drifted  for  long  distances  from  their  usual 
habitat.  Two  genera  are  represented  in  the  Panama  collection.* 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Skin  smooth,  without  prickles ;  ventral  fins  well  developed,  long, 
often  reaching  nearly  or  quite  to  origin  of  anal. 

Histrio,  p.  ioio. 

aa.  Skin  rough  to  the  touch,  provided  with  granules  or  spinules; 
ventral  fins  quite  short,  usually  scarcely  reaching  under  base 
of  pectorals.  Antennarius,  p.  ion. 

288.  Genus  Histrio  Fischer. 

Histrio  Fischer,  Zoognosia,  Tab.  Syn.,  Ed.  Ill,  I,  1813,  70,  78  (type 

Lophius  histrio  Linnaeus). 
Pterophryne  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  90  (type  Chironectes 

Icevigatus  Cuvier). 
Pterophrynoides  Gill,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1878,  216  (substitute  for 

Pterophryne,  regarded  as  preoccupied). 

Body  short,  somewhat  compressed;  mouth  small,  oblique;  palatine 
teeth  present;  skin  smooth  or  with  minute  tubercles  and  with  dermal 
tentacles ;  the  soft  dorsal  preceded  by  3  spines,  a  small,  slender  spine 
with  "bait"  in  advance  of  the  large  rostral  spine;  ventral  fins  well 
developed,  rather  long;  wrist  and  pectoral  fins  slender.  A  group  of 
oddly  shaped  fishes,  living  in  dense  vegetation  which  they  grasp  with 
their  hand-like  pectorals.  Two  species  are  recognized  from  American 
waters  (Atlantic  Ocean),  but  only  one  was  seen  on  the  coast  of  Panama. 

751.  Histrio  gibbus  (Mitchill). 

Lophius  gibbus  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  &  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I,  1815,  PI.  IV, 
fig.  9  (off  St.  Croix). 

*The  measurements  given  for  the  various  characters  of  the  species  of  this 
family  are  at  best  only  approximate,  owing  to  the  peculiar  structure  of  the  fish. 
The  head  was  measured  from  the  margin  of  the  opercular  bone  which  may  be 
felt  underneath  the  skin,  and  the  depth  was  measured  at  vertical  from  the 
origin  of  the  third  dorsal  spine. 


SEPT.  1928.    FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      ion 

Pterophryne  gibba  Carman,  Bull.  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.  Univ.  Iowa,  IV,  1896, 

81 ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2717. 

Head  2.7  to  3.25;  depth  1.8  to  2;  D.  Ill,  12;  A.  7. 

Body  rather  short,  compressed,  deep  anteriorly;  head  short,  com- 
pressed ;  snout  very  short  and  blunt,  3.5  to  5  in  head ;  eye  2.8  to  3.75 ; 
interorbital  3.1  to  3.6;  mouth  moderate,  very  oblique;  maxillary  reaching 
nearly  to  vertical  from  posterior  margin  of  eye,  1.85  to  2.15  in  head; 
teeth  pointed,  present  on  jaws  and  palatines,  rather  long,  directed 
inward,  more  or  less  distinctly  in  narrow  bands;  gill-opening  very 
small,  appearing  as  a  mere  pore  on  lower  margin  of  pectoral  near  base 
of  wrist;  scales  wanting,  the  skin  with  tubercles,  and  with  dermal 
tentacles  variously  distributed,  these  longest  and  most  numerous  on 
abdomen;  dorsal  fin  preceded  by  3  separate  spines,  the  first  spine  very 
slender,  with  the  bulbous  "bait"  covered  with  fleshy  filaments  or  merely 
with  fleshy  folds;  the  first  spine  closely  succeeded  by  a  large  rostral 
spine  with  many  dermal  tentacles,  another  large  spine  with  dermal 
fringes  at  nape;  the  soft  dorsal  rather  high,  with  a  convex  margin; 
caudal  fin  round ;  anal  fin  short  and  high ;  ventral  fins  well  developed, 
reaching  opposite  origin  of  anal  in  the  largest  specimen  at  hand,  failing 
to  reach  this  point  in  the  smaller  ones;  pectoral  fins  provided  with  a 
long,  well  marked  wrist  of  about  the  same  length  as  the  fin;  the  fin 
round  in  outline,  the  ends  of  the  rays  free,  i.i  to  1.5  in  head. 

Color  in  life  largely  orange,  with  irregular  brown  spots  and  bars; 
the  caudal  fin  and  the  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  often 
rather  distinctly  barred.  The  color  appears  to  vary  considerably 
among  individuals,  the  brown  predominating  on  some  specimens  while 
on  others  the  yellow  predominates. 

Only  3  specimens  of  this  species,  ranging  in  length  from  20  to  60 
mm.,  were  collected.  They  were  taken  in  very  quiet  shallow  water 
in  dense  masses  of  green  algae.  A  second  species,  H.  histrio  (Linnaeus), 
may  be  expected  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama.  Its  relationship 
with  H.  gibbus,  however,  is  very  imperfectly  understood,  but  it  appears 
to  have  the  "bait"  on  first  dorsal  spine  bifid  instead  of  bulbous  and  the 
soft  dorsal  is  probably  slightly  longer,  being  composed  of  14  rays. 

Known  from  Key  West,  the  Tortugas,  and  the  West  Indies.  The 
range  is  now  extended  to  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  Our  specimens  are 
from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

289.  Genus  Antennarius  Commerson. 

Antennarius  Commerson,  in  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  I,  1798,  327 
(type  Lophius  commersonianus  Lacepede). 


ioi2  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Chironectes  Cuvier,  Mem.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.  Paris,  III,  1817,  418  (type 

Lophius  commersonianus  Lacepede) . 

Body  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  very  deep  anteriorly ;  mouth 
rather  large,  very  oblique  to  vertical;  teeth  pointed,  in  bands  on  jaws 
and  palatines;  gill-opening  very  small,  situated  just  below  base  of 
the  lower  rays  of  pectoral  fin ;  skin  provided  with  granules  or  spinules 
and  usually  with  fleshy  cirri ;  first  dorsal  spine  developed  as  a  slender 
rostral  tentacle,  usually  bearing  a  fleshy  lobe  or  "bait"  at  its  tip;  the 
second  and  third  dorsal  spines  strong;  caudal  peduncle  free;  ventral 
fins  short ;  pectoral  fins  longer  and  broader  than  ventrals,  with  a  wide 
wrist. 

KEY    TO   THE   SPECIES. 

a.  The  bulbus  tip  or  "bait"  of  the  first  dorsal  spine  bifid,  the 
base  of  this  spine  projecting  in  advance  of   upper  lip;  the 
prickles  on  skin  trifid,  the  median  projection  soft,  the  lateral 
ones  pointed,  bony;  D.  III-I2;  A.  7.  scaber,  p.  1012. 

aa.  The  bulbous  tip  or  "bait"  simple,  not  as  above ;  the  prickles 
on  skin  simple  or  bifid. 

b.  Prickles  on  skin  mostly  bifid ;  the  base  of  first  dorsal  spine  not 
projecting  in  advance  of  upper  lip;  D.  III-I3;  A.  8;  ground 
color  reddish  in  life,  brownish  in  spirits. 

c.  First  dorsal  spine  notably  shorter  than  the  second,  the  "bait" 
forming  a  distinct  bulb;  body  not  everywhere  spotted  with 
brown ;  abdomen  plain,  not  reticulated  or  spotted ;  a  large  black 
ocellus  at  base  of  longest  dorsal  rays.  sanguineus,  p.  1013. 

cc.  First  dorsal  spine  notably  longer  than  the  second,  the  "bait" 
elongate,  not  distinctly  bulbous ;  body  everywhere  spotted  with 
brown  and  black;  the  abdomen  more  or  less  distinctly  reticu- 
lated, strigatus,  p.  1014. 

bb.  Prickles  on  skin  probably  simple,  no  cutaneous  fringes;  D. 
III-n;  A.  7;  ground  color  black;  a  small  white  spot  above 
pectoral;  tips  of  pectorals  and  ventrals  white,  principis,  p.  1015. 

752.  Antennarius  scaber  (Cuvier). 

Chironectes  scaber  Cuvier,  Mem.  Mus.  Hist.  Nat.   Paris,  III,   1817, 

425,  PI.  XVI,  fig.  2  (Martinique). 
Lophius  spectrum  Gronow,  Cat.  Fish,  1854,  49  (Antilles). 
Antennarius  scaber  Jordan,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1889,  652   (St. 

Lucia)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  i\ 

2722. 

Head  2.7  to  3.35;  depth  1.7  to  2.15;  D.  III-I2;  A.  7. 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1013 

Body  robust,  deepest  anteriorly ;  head  short  and  blunt ;  snout  very 
short,  3.3  to  5  in  head;  eye  small,  4  to  6;  interorbital  2.7  to  3.1 ;  mouth 
vertical;  maxillary  1.2  to  1.9  in  head;  teeth  small,  pointed,  in  bands 
on  jaws  and  palatines ;  gill-opening  very  small,  situated  at  base  of 
lower  rays  of  pectoral;  the  skin  very  rough,  covered  with  prickles 
which  are  trifid  at  tips;  the  outer  serrae  of  each  prickle  bony,  pointed 
and  directed  slightly  backward,  the  median  one  soft  and  fleshy ;  slender 
cutaneous  tentacles  present  on  head  and  sides,  most  numerous  about 
the  mouth  and  along  the  lateral  line ;  dorsal  preceded  by  three  separate 
spines;  the  first  spine  slender,  its  base  projecting  in  advance  of  the 
upper  lip;  the  "bait"  bifid,  the  lobes  of  the  "bait"  spongy,  composed 
of  membranous  folds,  projecting  beyond  rostral  spine  and  resting  in 
a  quadrate,  depressed,  naked  area  posterior  to  the  rostral  spine;  the 
rostral  spine  and  the  spine  at  nape  both  short  and  with  dermal  fringes ; 
the  soft  dorsal  moderately  elevated,  with  convex  margin;  caudal  fin 
longer  than  head,  with  evenly  convex  margin;  anal  fin  moderately 
elevated,  with  convex  margin;  ventral  fin  short,  notably  shorter  than 
pectorals;  pectoral  fins  short,  without  distinct  wrist,  1.25  to  1.5  in 
head. 

Color  brownish  to  very  dark  reddish;  sides  and  fins  with  dark 
spots,  these  sometimes  forming  indistinct  radiating  lines  from  eye; 
the  spots  large  and  round  on  the  fins  and  frequently  with  slight  ocel- 
lation;  mouth  spotted  with  black  within.  Our  specimens  appear  to 
be  darker  in  color  than  those  described  and  figured  from  the  West 
Indies.  The  following  color  description,  based  on  a  small  fresh  speci- 
men from  Fox  Bay,  Colon,  is  from  our  field  notes :  "Gray,  with  dark 
bluish  stripes,  these  nearly  vertical  on  anterior  part  of  body  and  run- 
ning upward  and  backward  on  posterior  part  of  body;  fins  mottled 
with  darker." 

This  singular  species  is  represented  in  the  collection  by  5  specimens, 
ranging  in  length  from  50  to  85  mm. ;  all  taken  with  seines  in  dense 
vegetation. 

Known  from  Curagao,  Trinidad,  Porto  Rico,  St.  Lucia  and  Mar- 
tinique. The  range  is  now  extended  to  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Panama. 
Our  specimens  are  from  Colon  and  Porto  Bello. 

753.  Antennarius  sanguineus  Gill. 

Antennarius  sanguineus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  91 
(Cape  San  Lucas)  ;  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
XLVII,  1898,  2721 ;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV, 
1904,  204. 


ioi4  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Antennarius  leopardinus  Giinther,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  1864,  151 

(Panama). 

Head  2.7  to  3.6;  depth  1.7  to  1.9;  D.  Ill-is ;  A-  8- 

Body  robust,  deep  anteriorly;  head  blunt;  snout  very  short,  2.6 
to  4.7  in  head;  eye  small,  3.8  to  5;  interorbital  2.3  to  3.8;  mouth 
vertical;  maxillary  rather  broad,  I  to  1.5  in  head;  teeth  pointed,  in 
bands  on  jaws  and  palatines ;  skin  rough,  with  bifid  prickles ;  short 
dermal  tentacles  present  about  the  mouth  and  along  upper  part  of 
sides ;  dorsal  fin  preceded  by  3  spines ;  the  first  spine  short  and  slender, 
not  reaching  the  tip  of  the  second  spine,  ending  in  a  membranous 
bulb  or  "bait";  the  second  spine  wholly  free;  the  third  posteriorly 
attached  by  membrane,  but  capable  of  being  erected  perpendicularly; 
the  soft  dorsal  rather  high,  with  convex  margin ;  caudal  fin  rather  long, 
rounded;  anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal  but  much  shorter;  ventral 
fins  short,  with  5  rays;  pectoral  fins  longer  and  broader,  with  13  rays 
and  a  distinct  wrist,  the  fin  without  wrist  I  to  1.35  in  head. 

Color  blood-red  in  life ;  dark  brown  in  spirits ;  a  few  indefinite 
dark  spots  on  side  below  base  of  third  dorsal  spine ;  a  small  but  distinct 
one  on  middle  of  side  above  base  of  pectoral;  a  large  ocellated  spot 
at  base  of  longest  dorsal  rays ;  the  abdomen  plain,  unspotted ;  the  distal 
parts  of  the  fins  spotted  with  black ;  the  caudal  fin  often  with  indistinct 
dark  cross-bars ;  inside  of  mouth  spotted  with  black,  the  floor  with  two 
more  or  less  distinct  longitudinal  bands. 

This  species  is  represented  by  8  small  specimens,  ranging  in  length 
from  30  to  63  mm.  Some  of  the  specimens  are  much  lighter  in  color 
than  others  but  the  general  pattern  is  uniform. 

Known  from  Cape  San  Lucas  to  Panama.  The  smallest  specimen 
was  sent  from  Chame  Point  by  Mr.  Robert  Tweedlie.  Two  were 
taken  by  us  in  a  tide  pool  at  Panama  City  and  the  others  were  brought 
to  the  Panama  City  market  by  fishermen. 

754.  Antennarius  strigatus  Gill. 

Antennarius  strigatus  Gill,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  1863,  92  (Cape 

San  Lucas)  ;  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1882,  630; 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2720; 

Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  204. 
Antennarius  tenuifilis  Giinther,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  London,  VI,  1869, 

440  (Panama). 

Body  compressed,  deep  anteriorly;  head  short,  blunt;  snout  very 
short,  2.85  in  head;  eye  very  small,  12  in  head;  interorbital  2.5;  mouth 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.      1015 

vertical,  the  lower  jaw  notably  in  advance  of  the  upper;  maxillary 
broad,  1.3  in  head;  teeth  pointed,  in  narrow  bands  on  jaws  and 
palatines ;  skin  rough,  covered  with  prickles  which  are  mostly  bifid ; 
a  few  short  dermal  tentacles  about  the  mouth  and  on  head ;  dorsal  fin 
preceded  by  3  spines ;  the  first  spine  long  and  slender,  much  longer  than 
the  rostral  spine,  with  a  slender  dermal  tip  or  "bait" ;  the  second  spine 
short,  robust,  attached  by  membrane  posteriorly;  the  third  spine  con- 
cealed in  the  skin,  appearing  as  a  hump;  second  dorsal  low,  the  rays 
covered  with  heavy  skin,  except  at  tips ;  caudal  fin  moderate,  rounded ; 
anal  fin  similar  to  second  dorsal  but  shorter;  ventral  fins  very  short, 
resembling  the  feet  of  a  mole,  having  5  rays,  with  free  tips ;  pectoral 
fins  longer  and  broader,  with  n  rays  and  a  distinct  wrist,  the  fin 
without  wrist  2.1  in  head. 

Color  of  fresh  specimen  blood-red,  everywhere  spotted  with  brown ; 
the  brown  spots  forming  more  or  less  distinct  reticulations  on  the 
abdomen ; '  small  jet-black  spots  appearing  more  or  less  definitely  in 
clusters  on  paler  areas  also  present;  one  of  these  clusters  situated  a 
short  distance  behind  the  eye,  another  above  and  slightly  in  front  of 
base  of  pectoral,  and  one  each  on  the  base  of  the  longest  rays  of  dorsal 
and  anal  fins ;  an  indistinct  saddle-like  blotch  between  the  second  and 
third  dorsal  spines;  another  broad  dark  band  from  origin  of  second 
dorsal,  downward  and  forward  to  above  middle  of  side,  thence  backward 
and  downward  to  upper  axil  of  pectoral;  the  distal  parts  of  the  fins 
spotted  with  black ;  the  caudal  with  indefinite  vertical  bars ;  the  mouth 
spotted  and  streaked  with  black  and  brown  within. 

We  have  a  single  large  specimen,  250  mm.  in  length,,  which  we 
refer  to  this  species.  The  eye  of  this  fish  is  very  small  and  it  does 
not  have  the  appearance  of  a  functional  organ.  The  cornea  is  con- 
tinuous with  the  skin  of  the  head  and  no  pupil  is  discernible  exter- 
nally. 

Known  from  Cape  San  Lucas  to  Panama.  Probably  a  rare  species, 
as  our  specimen  was  brought  to  the  Panama  City  market  by  fishermen,  as 
a  curio. 

755.  Antennarius  principis  (Cuvier  &  Valenciennes). 

Chironectes  principis  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XII, 
1837,  416  (Brazil;  on  2  drawings  by  Prince  Maurice,  the  second 
figure  representing  the  present  species  to  which  Giinther  restricted 
the  name  principis). 

Antennarius  principis  Giinther,  Cat.  Fish.  Brit.  Mus.,  Ill,  1861,  193; 


ioi6  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII,  1898,  2719. 

D.  III-n;  A.  7;  P.  10. 

Anterior  dorsal  spine  twice  as  long  as  second,  ending  in  a  small, 
slender  lobe;  membrane  behind  third  spine  extending  to  root  of  soft 
dorsal;  last  ray  of  dorsal  not  reaching  caudal.  Skin  rough,  covered 
with  small  spines ;  no  cutaneous  fringes.  Black ;  tips  of  pectorals  and 
ventrals  white;  a  small  white  spot  above  pectoral.  (Giinther.) 

This  fish  is  recorded  from  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil  and  may 
therefore  be  expected  on  the  coast  of  Panama.  It  was  not  seen  by  us. 

Family  XC.  Ogcocephalidae. 

THE  BAT-FISHES. 

Body  depressed,  the  trunk  short  and  slender ;  head  very  broad,  much 
depressed;  snout  more  or  less  elevated,  usually  projecting;  mouth  not 
large,  usually  inferior,  the  lower  jaw  included;  teeth  pointed;  gill- 
openings  small,  above  and  behind  axils  of  pectoral  fins;  skin  covered 
with  bony  tubercles  or  spines ;  a  rostral  tentacle,  retractile  into  a  cavity 
under  the  rostral  process,  usually  present;  dorsal  and  anal  small; 
ventrals  present;  pectorals  well  developed,  with  strongly  angled  base. 
The  bat-fishes  are  of  a  peculiar  shape;  most  of  them  apparently  are 
sluggish  in  their  movements.  Some  of  the  species  live  along  the  shores 
in  very  shallow  water  and  others  inhabit  the  deep  sea.  Two  genera 
come  within  the  scope  of  the  present  report. 

KEY  TO  THE  GENERA. 

a.  Disk  with  the  frontal  region  more  or  less  elevated;  eyes  wholly 
lateral;  gills  2^. 

b.  Disk  longer  than  broad.  Ogcocephalus,  p.  1016. 
bb.  Disk  notably  broader  than  long.  Zalieutes,  p.  1018. 

290.  Genus  Ogcocephalus  Fischer. 

Ogcocephalus  Fischer,  Zoognosia,  Tab.  Syn.,  Ed.  Ill,  I,  1813,  70,  78 

(type  Lophius  vespertilio  Linnaeus). 
Malthe  Cuvier,  Regne  Animal,  Ed.   I,   II,   1817,  311    (type  Lophius 

vespertilio  Linnaeus). 

Body  depressed;  head  broad,  triangular  or  more  or  less  disk-like 
in  form,  not  broader  than  long;  snout  provided  with  a  rostral  projection, 
varying  greatly  in  length;  eyes  rather  large,  lateral;  mouth  moderate, 
inferior;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  gill- 
opening  small,  near  inner  axil  of  pectoral ;  gills  2.]/2  ;  skin  rough,  with 


Sept.  1928.     FISHES  OF  PANAMA  —  MEEK  AND  HILDEBRAND.     1017 

bony  tubercles;  a  dermal  tentacle  present  under  the  rostral  process, 
retractile  into  a  well  developed  cavity;  ventrals  I,  5,  well  separated; 
pectorals  large,  placed  horizontally.  A  single  species  is  represented  in 
the  Panama  collection. 

756.  Ogcocephalus  vespertilio  (Linnaeus). 

Lophius  vespertilio  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  I,  1758,  236  (American 
seas). 

Malthea  vespertilio  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  PoiSs.,  XII,  1837, 

440. 
Ogcocephalus  vespertilio  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 

XLVII,  1898,  2737,  PI.  CCCXCII,  figs.  958,  958a  and  958b. 

Head  to  gill  opening  1.93 ;  depth  5 ;  D.  4;  A.  4. 

Body  rather  robust,  tapering  backward ;  the  caudal  peduncle  broader 
than  deep;  head  broad,  depressed,  triangular,  the  greatest  width  equal 
to  distance  from  tip  of  rostral  process  to  inner  angle  of  wrist  of  pectoral ; 
snout  acute,  with  long  pointed  process,  5.7  in  head,  n  in  body;  eye 
wholly  lateral,  7.4  in  head;  interorbital  9.15;  mouth  rather  broad, 
mostly  transverse ;  maxillary  6.7  in  head ;  teeth  small,  villif orm,  in 
bands  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines ;  gill-opening  small,  situated  at 
inner  angle  of  base  of  pectoral ;  skin  with  bony  protuberances,  varying 
in  size,  smallest  on  belly  where  skin  is  shagreen-like,  largest  on  back 
of  tail ;  ventral  surface  of  tail  with  bony  plates ;  a  large  depression, 
longer  than  broad,  under  rostrum,  this  depression  provided  with  a 
dermal  tentacle  which  has  a  stock-like  base  and  a  more  or  less  definite 
triangular  expansion  at  tip;  dorsal  fin  small,  its  origin  at  vertical  from 
posterior  margin  of  wrist  of  pectoral;  caudal  fin  round;  anal  fin  small, 
its  origin  about  equidistant  from  vertical  of  origin  of  dorsal  and  base 
of  caudal ;  ventral  fins  rather  long  and  narrow,  inserted  about  midway 
between  mouth  and  vent;  pectoral  fins  with  distinct  wrist,  inserted  on 
posterior  margin  of  the  disk-like  head,  the  fin  without  wrist,  2.2  in  head. 

Color  very  dark  brown  above,  somewhat  lighter  brown  below;  a 
black  area  on  snout  below  rostral  process  and  two  black  areas  over  disk 
at  shoulders;  the  distal  part  of  the  spiny  processes  on  body  paler  than 
the  ground  color;  a  series  of  short  dermal  flaps  on  upper  jaw  and  on 
lower  margin  of  disk  pale;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  and  pectorals  very 
dark  brown  to  nearly  black ;  the  caudal  with  a  greenish  yellow  cross-bar 
on  middle  of  fin ;  ventral  fins  greenish. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  odd  fish,  135  mm.  in  length,  was  taken. 
It  appears  to  be  a  rare  species. 


ioi8  FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ZOOLOGY,  VOL.  XV. 

Reported  from  North  Carolina,  the  Florida  Keys,  the  West  Indies 
and  from  Ceara,  Brazil.  Our  specimen  was  taken  with  a  seine  on  a 
shallow  beach  at  Porto  Bello. 

291.  Genus  Zalieutes  Jordan  &  Evermann. 

Zalieutes  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Rept.  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.,  XXI,  1895 
(1896),  511  (type  Malthe  elater  Jordan  &  Gilbert). 
This  genus  appears  to  be  very  closely  related  to  Ogcocephalus,  but 

the  head  is  said  to  be  more  broadly  expanded,  the  disk  being  broader 

than  long  and  about  half  as  long  as  the  total  length  of  the  fish.    A  single 

species  is  known. 

757.  Zalieutes  elater  (Jordan  &  Gilbert). 

Malthe  elater  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.   S.   Nat.  Mus.,   1881,  365 

(Mazatlan). 

Ogcocephalus  elater  Jordan,  Proc.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  2nd  Ser.,  V,  1895,  506. 
Zalieutes  elater  Jordan  &  Evermann,  Bull.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  XLVII, 

1898,  2738;  Gilbert  &  Starks,  Memoir.  Cal.  Ac.  Sci.,  IV,  1904,  204. 

Body  depressed;  the  head  very  broad,  disk-shaped,  considerably 
broader  than  long,  its  width  1.4  in  the  body;  the  head  and  back  con- 
siderably raised  above  the  disk;  greatest  depth  of  body  scarcely  greater 
than  width  of  mouth;  snout  short,  scarcely  projecting  beyond  mouth, 
its  length  about  equal  to  interorbital  width;  eye  rather  large,  longer 
than  snout  and  wider  than  interorbital ;  mouth  small,  its  width  one-half 
greater  than  diameter  of  orbit;  skin  covered  with  comparatively  rough, 
slender  spines,  those  on  snout,  middle  of  back  and  tail  largest;  belly 
rough ;  under  side  of  tail  with  tubercular  plates ;  caudal  fin  a  little  longer 
than  pectoral,  about  4.3  in  body;  pectoral  fins  one-third  longer  than 
ventrals,  1.6  the  width  of  mouth,  and  a  little  shorter  than  caudal. 

Color  light  olive;  upper  parts  everywhere  thickly  and  uniformly 
covered  with  small  round  spots  of  dark  brown  about  as  large  as  pupil ; 
a  distinct  ocellus,  larger  than  eye,  on  each  side  of  back,  this  ocellus  with 
a  bright  green  spot  in  center,  surrounded  by  a  black  ring  around  which 
is  a  pale  ring,  and  finally  a  fainter  dark  one;  under  parts  plain  white; 
caudal  yellowish  at  base,  with  a  terminal  blackish  band;  pectorals 
spotted. 

This  species  was  not  seen  by  us.  The  above  description  is  compiled 
from  published  accounts.  The  Panama  records  are  based  on  specimens 
taken  by  the  Albatross  at  Stations  2794  and  2795.  It  is  said  to  frequent 
waters  of  moderate  depth,  but  to  be  very  rare  near  the  shore. 

Known  from  Mazatlan  to  Panama. 


INDEX  TO  PARTS  I-III 


Bold-faced  type  denotes  names  adopted  in  this  work. 


abbreviatus,  Nauclerus 400 

abildgaardi,  Sparisoma.  748 

abildgaardi,  Sparus 747,748 

Ablennes '. 231 

abnormis,  Ilisha 189 

Aboma 887 

Abudef  duf 700 

Acanthias 64 

acanthias,  Squalus 64,65 

Acanthinion 377 

acanthistius,  Bodianus 440 

acanthistius,  Cephalopholis 440 

Acanthochaetodon 777 

Acanthocybium 326 

Acanthopteri 262 

Acanthorhinus 64 

Acanthostracion 805 

Acanthuridae 780 

Acanthurus 781 

acclivis,  Larimus 687 

Acedia 1004 

acervum,  Cybium 323 

Achirus 994 

achirus,  Pleuronectes 994 

acoupa,  Cheilodipterus 653 

acoupa,  Cynoscion 656 

aculeatus,  Doryichthys 261 

acuminatus,  Eques 677 

acuminatus,  Grammistes 676,677 

acus,  Gymnotus 963 

acus,  Syngnathus 256 

acuta,  Myliobatis 91 

acuta,  Ophisoma 138 

acutirostris,  Coryina 633,634 

acutirostris,  Lutjanus 509 

acutirostris,  Pristis 67 

acutirostris,  Serranus 445 

acutus,  Exocoetus 243 

acutus,  Fodiator 243 

adscensionis,  Epinephelus 456 

adscensionis,  Trachinus 456 

adspersus,  Paralichthys 974 

adusta,  Sciagna 639 

adustus,  Ophioscion 639 

adustus,  Pseudojulis 725 

^Elurichthys 96 

aequidens,  Otolithus 653 

aethalion,  Citharichthys 981 

aethalorus,  Carcharias 41 

Aetobatus 88 

af er,  Alphestes 463 

afer.^Epinephelus 463 

af  finis,  Auchenopterus 930 

affinis,  Centropomus 433 


affinis,  Cremnobates 930 

affinis,  Elops 176 

affinis,  Fierasfer 963 

affinis,  Isopisthus 650 

affinis,  Microdesmus 955 

affinis,  Thynnus 311 

africana,  Clupea 189 

afrum,  Plectropoma 464 

Agnus 907 

aguaji,  Trisotropis 447 

Ailurichthys 96 

alalunga,  Germo 316 

alalunga,  Scomber 315,316 

alatunga,  Scomber 316 

alatus,  Arius . 101 

albacauda,  Ech'eneis 896 

Albacora .•  •  •  - 314 

albacora,  Thynnus 316 

albacores,  Scomber 314 

albescens,  Echeneis 897,898 

albescens,  Remora 898 

albidus,  Osmerus 220 

albifasciatus,  Pomacentrus 697 

albirostris,  Prionotus 858 

albomaculatus,  Serranus 466 

Albula 177 

albula,  Mugil 275 

Albulidse 177 

album,  Haemulon 540 

alburnus,  Perca 666 

albus,  Cynoscion 665 

albus,  Otolithus 665 

Alectis 363 

alepidotum,  Gobiosoma 891 

alepidotus,  Chaetodon 410 

alepidotus,  Stromateus 411 

Alexurus 864 

aliciolus,  Trachurus 397 

alletterata,  Gymnosarda 311 

alletteratus,  Scomber 311 

alliteratus,  Orcynus 311 

Alopecias 62 

Alopias 62 

Alphestes 463 

Alpismaris 215 

altavela,  Raia 86 

alternans,  Scarus 741 

alticus,  Salarias 948 

altipinnis,  Microdonophis 153 

altipinnis,  Micropogon 617 

altivelis,  Serranus 452 

altus,  Centropomus 433 

altus,  Chorinemus 388 

altus,  Oligoplites 388 


1019 


IO2O 


INDEX 


aluta,  Sciaena 630 

Alutera 801 

amarilla,  Guativere 438 

Amblypomacentrus 697 

amblyrhynchus,  Caranx 341 

amblyrhynchus,  Hemicaranx. ...  341 

Amblyscion 683 

americana,  Manta 94 

americanus,  Balistes 795 

americanus,  Cyprinus 666 

americanus,  Eques 676 

americanus,  Polynemus 289 

Amia » 4*4 

ammocryptus,  Tetraodon 817 

Ammopleurops 1004 

Amorphocephalus 729 

Amphichthys . 918 

Amphioxi 27 

Amphipxus 27 

amplexicollis,  Sarothrodus 771 

amplus,  Scarus 748 

analigutta,  Pomacentrus 698 

analis,  Caranx 349 

analis,  Lutianus ,.  501 

analis,  Mesoprion 501 

analis,  Scyris 364 

analis,  Umbrina 615 

analogus,  Abudef  duf 703 

analogus,  Epinephelus 454 

analogus,  Euschistodus 703 

analogus,  Kyphosus 605 

analogus,  Pimelepterus 605 

Anchispmus , 812 

Anchovia 196 

anchovia,  Sardinella 183 

Anchovies 195 

Ancylodon 646 

ancylodon,  Ancylodon 648 

ancylodon,  Lonchurus 646,647 

ancylodon,  Macrodon 647 

Ancylppsetta 971 

andrei,  Gobius 867 

Angelichthys 765 

Anguilla 134 

Anguillidae 134 

angulosus,  Balistes. 793.794 

angusticeps,  Sphceroides 820 

angusticeps,  Tetrodon 820 

angustifrons,  Serranus 461 

Anisotremus 560 

anna-carolina,  Mugilomorus.  ...  175 

annularis,  Holacanthus 777 

annularis,  Nauclerus 400 

annularis,  Sparus 580 

annulatus,  Sphceroides 816 

annulatus,  Tetrodon 816 

anolis,  Saurus 217 

anoplos,  Uranoscopus. .  .  .^ 907 

antecessor,  Gasterosteus 400 

Antennariidae 1009 

Antennarius 101 1 

antennatus,  Chilomycterus 832 


antennatus,  Diodon 832 

antillanus,  Conodon 521 

antillarum,  Caranx 350 

Aphoristia 1004 

apia,  Pirati 446 

apiarius,  Serranus 441 

apicalis,  Echeneis 895 

Apionichthys 1003 

apoda,  Perca 509 

apoda,  Pleuronectes 1002 

Apodes 134 

apodus,  Lutianus 509 

Apogon 414 

Apogonidas 414 

appendiculatus,  Centropomus. .  .  425 

approximans,  Polynemus 290 

approximans,  Pomadasys. . .  556 

aprion,  Gerres 589 

Apseudobranchus 653 

apua,  Bodianus 446 

apua,  Epinephelus 461 

apua,  Mycteroperca  venenosa. . .  446 

aquadulce,  Galeichthys 124 

aquas-dulcis,  Murasna 161 

aquila,  Raja 90 

aracanga,  Scarus 759 

area,  Atherina 264 

Aramaca 980 

aramaca,  Hemirhombus 981 

aramaca,  Pleuronectes 983 

arangoi,  Chcerojulis 718 

arara,  Hasmulon 532 

arara,  Serranus 447,461 

aratus,  Lutianus 496 

aratus,  Mesoprion 493,496 

Arbaciosa 926 

archidium,  Elattarchus 628 

archidium,  Odontoscion 628 

Archosargus 577 

arcticus,  Galeocerdo 56 

arcticus,  Squalus 56 

arcuata,  Harengula. 184 

arcuatum,  Haemulon 532 

arcuatus,  Chaetodon 772,773 

arcuatus,  Pomacanthus 773.775 

arenaceus,  Citharichthys 985 

arenata,  Umbrina 670 

arenatus,  Priacanthus 487 

arenatus,  Rypticus 480 

arenicola,  Anchovia 201 

argentata,  Ilisha 190 

argentea,  Sciaena 547 

argentea,  Selene 371,372 

argenteus,  Amblyscion 683,684 

argenteus,  Centronotus 390 

argenteus,  Centropomus 425 

argenteus,  Diplodus 580 

argenteus,  Eucinostomus 582 

argenteus,  Larimus 684 

argenteus,  Micrppogon 618 

argenteus,  Pristigaster 192 

argenteus,  Sargus 580 


INDEX 


1021 


argenteus,  Sparus 576 

argenteus,  Trachinotus 385 

argenteus,  Trichiurus 328 

argentiventris,  Lutianus 513 

argentiventris,  Mesoprion 513 

argenti-vittatus,  Thynnus 316 

argus,  Cephalopholis 438 

argus,  Squalus 29 

Argyrea 266 

Argyreiosus 371 

argyroleucus,  Bodianus 629 

aries,  Archosargus 579 

aries,  Sargus 579 

arioides,  Bagrus 123 

ariommus,  Aprion v.  517 

Ariosoma 138 

Arius 122 

armata,  Bairdiella 633,634 

armata,  Sciaena 361 

armatus,  Centropomus 430,431 

armiger,  Alexurus 864 

armiger,  Erotelis 864 

arundelii,  Gobius 868 

ascensionis,  Caranx 352 

ascensionis,  Holocentrus 297 

ascensionis,  Perca .  297 

ascensionis,  Scomber 352 

asperrimus,  Myliobatis 91,92 

asperrimus,  Pteromylaeus 92 

aspersus,  Prionotus 856 

aspersus,  Serranus 457 

aspidurus,  Urolophus 85 

aspidurus,  Urotrygon 85 

Aspisurus 781 

asterias,  Blennius 941 

asterias,  Urotrygon 83 

Asterospondyli 29 

Atherina 263 

Atherinella 265 

Atherinidae 262 

Athlennes 231 

atinga,  Diodon 827 

atlantica,  Elacate 404 

atlanticus,  Epinephelus 457 

atlanticus,  Megalops 173,174 

atlanticus,  Rupiscartes 948 

atlanticus,  Salarias 948 

atlanticus,  Sparus 457 

atlanticus,  Tarpon 174 

atlanticus,  Thynnus 316 

Atractoperca 466 

Atractoscion 653 

atramentatus,  Symphurus 1008 

atricauda,  Aphoristia 1009 

atricaudus,  Symphurus 1009 

atridorsalis,  Centropomus 431 

atrilobatus,  Chromis 696 

atrimanus,  Caranx . 342 

atrimanus,  Hemicaranx. 342 

atripinnis,  Asthenurus 969 

Atroscopus 907 

atwoodi,  Carcharias 63 


aubrieti,  Lutjanus 505 

Auchenopterus 930 

auctorum,  Lobotes 484,485 

auliscus,  Siphostoma 260 

aurantiacus,  Balistes 801,802 

auratus,  Diapterus 591 

auratus,  Holocentrus 439 

auratus,  Serranus 439 

aureolus,  Diapterus 594 

aureolus,  Gerres 594 

aureoruber,  Sparus 748 

aureoviridis,  Sphyraena 425 

aureus,  Caranx .- 354 

aureus,  Chaetodon , 773 

auriculata,  Mobula 93 

auriga,  Chaetodon 765 

auriga,  Monacanthus 798 

aurita,  Sardinella 181 

aurolineatus,  Diabasis 523 

aurorubens,  Centropristes 517 

aurorubens,  Rhomboplites 517 

aurovittatus,  Mesoprion 515 

Auxis 312 

averruncus,  Kathetostoma 909 

axillaris,  Diapterus 599 

axillaris,  Gerres 599 

aya,  Bodianus 507 

aya,  Lutianus 507 

ayresi,  Centropristis 475 

Ayresia 695 

Azevia 990 

azureus,  Balistes , 794 

azureus,  Carcharias 38 

azureus,  Scarus 742 

azurissimus,  Microspathodon .  .  .  705 

bacalaus.  Gobius 878 

badius,  Euctenogobius 874 

bahamensis,  Vulpes 178 

bahianus,  Acanthurus 783 

bahianus,  Rhombus 979 

bahiensis,  Arius 96 

bahiensis,  Cypselurus 247 

bahiensis,  Exoccetus 247 

baillonii,  Caesiomorus 377 

Baiostoma 994 

Bairdiella 629 

balantiophthalmus,  Scomber. . . .  335 

balao,  Hemirhamphus 235 

balearica,  Ariosoma 139 

balearica,  Murasna 138,139 

Balistes 787 

Balistidae 787 

balteatus,  Pomacanthus 773 

balteatus,  Thynnus 316 

balteatus,  Upeneus 306 

banana,  Butyrinus 277 

bancrofti,  Torpedo 73 

banksi,  Citula 349 

barbatus,  Opsanus 917 

barracuda,  Esox 283 

barracuda,  Sphyrasna 283 


1022 


INDEX 


Barracudas 282 

barreto,  Gobioides 894 

bartholpmsei,  Caranx 351 

Bascanichthys 151 

bascanium,  Coecula 151 

batabanus,  Johnius 691 

Bat-fishes 1016 

Bathygobius 867 

bathymaster,  Bregmaceros 969 

Bathystoma 523 

batis.  Raja 71 

Batoidei 65 

Batrachoides 911 

Batrachoididae 910 

Batrachus. 911 

Batrichtius 911 

bayanus,  Pomadasis 557 

bayanus,  Pomadasys 557 

beani,  Caranx 352 

beani,  Kirtlandia 270 

becuna,  Sphyragna 284 

bellus,  Balistes , 792 

Belonidae 223 

bengalensis,  Ophisternon 131 

berlandieri,  Mugil 275 

bermudensis,  Lefroyia 963 

Bibronia 1004 

bicaudalis,  Lactophrys 806 

bicaudalis,  Ostracion 805,806 

bicolor,  Anisotremus 565 

bicolor,  Pristipoma ,  .  565 

bicolor,  Smecticus 479 

bifasciatus,  Labrus 726 

bifasciatus,  Mullus 303 

Big-eyes 486 

bigibbus,  Kyphosus 605 

bilineatum,  Pristipoma 560,566 

bimaculatus,  Chaetodon 771 

bimaculatus,  Halichoeres 714 

binotata,  Amia 416 

binotatus,  Apogon 416 

bipinnulata,  Seriola 393 

bipinnulatus,  Elagatis 393 

birostratus,  Prionotus 850,855 

birostris,  Manta 94 

birostris,  Raja 94 

bispinosus,  Myliobatis 91 

bisus,  Scomber 313 

bitaeniatus,  Eumycterias 825 

bivittata,  Elacate 404 

bivittatus,  Labrus 717 

bivittatus,  Serranus 472,475 

bixanthopterus,  Caranx 353 

blackfordii,  Lutjanus 507 

Blennidas 928 

Blennies 928 

Blennius 940 

Blepharichthys 363 

Blepharis .  .  . 363 

blepharis,  Carangoides 364 

blochii,  Bodianus 711 

blochii,  Caranx 357 


Bluefishes 401 

Bodianus 710 

bodianus,  Bodianus 710,711 

boleosoma.Gobionellus 885 

boleosoma,  Gobius 885 

bollmani,  Hippoglossina 973 

Bollmannia 885 

bonaci,  Mycteroperca 447 

bonaci,  Serranus 447 

bonaparti,  Poecilocephalus 153 

bonariense,  Haemulon 541 

bonariensis,  Seriola 396 

Bonefish  or  Ladyfish 177 

boops,  Caranx 335 

boops,  Trachurus 359 

borealis,  Sphyraena 286 

boscii,  Pimelepterus 608 

boscii,  Seriola 396 

bosquii,  Pimelepterus 605,608 

Botnrolaemus 377 

boucardi,  Pristipoma 559 

boulengeri,  Batrachoides 916 

boulengeri,  Mycteroperca 448 

brachialis,  Baiostoma 994.999 

branchiatus,  Diodon 827 

Branchiostomidae 27 

brachycentrus,  Nauclerus 400 

brachychirus,  Trachurops 335 

Brachygenys 527 

Brachypomacentrus 697 

brachyptera,  Echeneis 899 

brachyptera,  Remora 899 

brachypterus,  Echeneis 897 

brachypterus,  Exocoetus 244 

brachypterus,  Parexoccetus 244 

brachypterus,  Thynnus 314 

Brachyrhinus 436 

brachysomus,  Calamus 574 

brachysomus,  Sparus 574 

brachyurus,  Ophichthys 159 

brama,  Cynaedus 578 

Branchiostoma 27 

brandtii,  Arius 103 

branickii,  Pomadasys 555 

branickii,  Pristipoma 555 

brasilianus,  Diapterus 600 

brasilianus,  Gerres 600 

brasiliense,  Pristipoma 565 

brasiliensis,  Amblyopus 894 

brasiliensis,  Clupea 178 

brasiliensis,  Esox 233,234 

brasiliensis,  Genyanemus 675 

brasiliensis,  Hemirhamphus. .  234,235 

brasiliensis,  Labrus 7J7 

brasiliensis,  Mugil 274,276,279 

brasiliensis,  Narcine 73 

brasiliensis,  Narinari 89 

brasiliensis,  Paralonchurus. .  .  .  675 

brasiliensis,  Plagusia 1005 

brasiliensis,  Scorpasna 837 

brasiliensis,  Thynnus.  .' 311 

brasiliensis,  Torpedo 72>73 


INDEX 


1023 


brasiliensis,  Vomer 366 

Bregmaceros 969 

Bregmacerotidae 968 

brevibarbe,  Lepophidium 961 

brevibarbe,  Ophidion 961 

Breviceps 96 

breviceps,  Evorthodus 869,870 

breviceps,  Larimus 683,686 

breviceps,  Pomacentrus 697 

brevimanus,  Diapterus 602 

brevimanus,  Gerres 602 

brevipinne,  Pristipoma 544,546 

brevipinnis,  Blennius 946 

brevipinnis,  Hypsoblennius 946 

brevipinnis,  Orthopristis 546 

brevipinnis,  Thynnus 311 

brevirostra,  Anchovia. 198 

brevirostris,  Gerres 597 

brevirostris,  Hypoprion 50 

brevirostris,  Macrognathus 234 

brevirostris,  Saurus 223 

brevirostrum,  Hasmulon 542 

brevis,  Acanthurus 782 

brevis,  Amblyopus 869 

brevis,  Centropomus 431 

brevis,  Engraulis 214 

brevis,  Tyntlastes 869 

brevoortii,  Argyriosus 374 

brevoortii,  Selene 374 

bricei,  Chaetodon 767 

broccus,  Balistes 797 

Brotulidse 965 

broussonetii,  Acanthurus 782 

broussonnetii,  Gobioides 894 

broussonnetii,  Gobius 894 

broussonnetii,  Umbrina 613 

brownii,  Anchovia 204 

brownii,  Atherinia 204 

brownii,  Hemirhamphus 234 

brownii,  Solea 1002 

brownii,  Vomer 365,366 

brunneus,  Ectenias 405 

brunneus,  Serranus 447 

bufo,  Scorpaena 835 

Butterfly-fishes 764 

Butyrinus 177 

caballa,  Cybium 322 

caballerote,  Anthias 511 

caballus,  Caranx 359 

caboverdianus,  Ginglymostoma .  30 

Caesiomorus 377 

caesius,  Anisotremus 562 

cassius,  Pomadasys 562 

Calamus 572 

calamus,  Calamus 575 

calamus,  Chrysophrys 574 

calamus,  Pagellus 572,575 

calif ornicus,  Hippoglossus 974 

californiense,  Branchiostoma .  . .  28 

californiensis,  Diapterus 584 

californiensis,  Eucinostomus. . . .  584 


californiensis,  Ophisurus 155 

californiensis,  Polynemus 291 

Calliodon 733.735 

callisoma,  Herpetoichthys 155 

callopis,  Harengula 183 

callopterus,  Cypselurus 246 

callopterus,  Exoccetus .  , 246 

calopteryx,  Serranus 470 

campechanus,  Mesoprion 507 

canadus,  Gasterosteus 403 

canadus,  Rachycentron 403 

cancrivorus,  Pisodonophis 147 

caninus,  Caranx 350 

canis,  Squalus 31,34 

canna,  Haemulon 539, 540 

Cannorhynchus 248 

cantharinum,  Pristipoma 544 

Cantherines 800 

Canthidermis 793 

Canthigaster 825 

cantraini,  Tylosurus 224 

capensis,  Carcharodon 63 

capensis,  Elops 175 

capeuna,  Serranus 524 

capillaris,  Zeus 372 

capillatus,  Clinus 936 

capistratus,  Balistes 787,788 

capistratus,  Chaetodon 765,767 

capistratus,  Pachynathus 788 

caprinus,  Balistes 792 

Capriscus 787 

capriscus,  Balistes 787,791 

caramura,  Murenophis 166 

Carangidae 331 

Carangops 339 

carangua,  Caranx 350 

Carangus 346 

carangus,  Scomber 346,350 

Caranx 346 

Caranxomorus 405 

Carapidae 962 

Carapus 963 

carauna,  Serranus 439 

carbonarium,  Haemulon 537 

Carcharhinidae 35 

Carcharhinus 36 

Carcharias 36 

carcharias,  Carcharodon 63 

carcharias,  Squalus 36,63 

Carcharodon 63 

cardenal,  Bonaci 446 

Cardinal-fishes 414 

cardinalis,  Serranus 446 

Carenchelyi 132 

caribaeum,  Branchiostoma 28 

caribseus,  Sargus 578 

caribbasa,  Ilisha 191 

caribbasus,  Chloroscombrus 369 

caribbaeus,  Scorpasnodes 847 

carneus,  Acronurus 785 

Carolina,  Argentia 175 

carolinensis,  Balistes 791 


IO24 


INDEX 


carolinensis,  Cestreus 653 

caroliniensis,  Gobius 867 

carolinus,  Doliodon 379 

carolinus,  Gasterosteus 377.385 

carolinus,  Priacanthus 488 

carolinus,  Trachinotus 385 

catalufa,  Priacanthus 487 

catenata,  Echidna 171 

catenatus,  Gymnothorax 170,171 

Catfishes 95 

Cathorops 129 

Catochaenum 591 

catulus,  Gobius 867 

catus,  Serranus 461 

caudata,  Lamna 38 

caudimacula,  Haemulon. .  .  . , .  537.539 

caudimacula,  Sargus 580 

caulopus,  Homesthes 947,948 

cavalla,  Cybium 322 

cavalla,  Scomberomorus 322 

Cavallas 331 

caxis,  Sparus 509 

cayennensis,  Citharichthys 985 

cayennensis,  Otolithus 665 

cayennensis,  Vomer 366 

cayorum,  Ogilbia 965>967 

Centengraulis 212 

Centronotus 399 

Centropomidae 419 

Centropomus 419 

Centropyge 777 

Centrurophis 153 

cepedianus,  Priacanthus 488 

Cephacandia 859 

Cephalacanthidae 859 

Cephalacanthus 859 

Cephalopholis 438 

cephalus,  Gobiesox 925 

cephalus,  Mugil 273,275 

cerapalus,  Opsanus 917 

Ceratacanthus 801 

Cerdale 958 

cerdale,  Carcharhinus 47 

Cerdalidas 954 

Cerna 452 

ceruleus,  Carcharias 38 

Cestracion 57 

Cestraciontidae 57 

Cestreus 653 

Cetengraulis 212 

Chaenomugil 281 

Chaenopsetta 974 

Chaetodipterus 760 

Chsetodon 765 

Chaetodontidae 764 

chagresi,  Menidia 266 

chalceum,  Pristipoma. 545 

chalceus,  Orthopristis 545 

chalinius,  Epinephelus 445 

Chalisoma 787 

chamensis,  Ophichthus 155 

Chapinus 805 


Cheilodipteridae 414 

Cheilotrema , .  679 

Chelichthys 8 1 1 

cherna,  Anthias 460 

chevola,  Gallichtys 364 

chilensis,  Pelamys 318 

chilensis,  Sarda 318 

chilensis,  Tomicodon 926 

Chilomycterus 831 

chinensis,  Balistes 796 

Chironectes 1012 

chirurgus,  Chaetodon 784 

chlamydes,  Bollmannia 885,886 

Chlorichthys 726 

chloris,  Pseudoscarus 740 

chloris,  Scarus 753 

chloris,  Scomber 369 

chloropterum,  Plectropoma.  .  463,464 

Chloroscombrus 369 

Chlorurus 736 

Chcerojulis 714 

Chriolax 848 

Chriomitra 321 

Chromis 694 

chromis,  Diabasis 539 

chromis,  Hasmulon 539 

chromis,  Sparus 694 

chrysargyreus,  Brachygenys. .  .  .  527 

chrysargyreus,  Haemulon 527 

chryseus,  Rhinoberyx 294 

chrysoleuca,  Bairdiella 630 

chrysoleuca,  Corvina 630 

chrysomelanus,  Sparus 460 

chrysops,  Ophisurus 1 59 

chrysoptera,  Perca 544 

chrysopteron,  Haemulon 523 

chrysopterum,  Sparisoma 753 

chrysopterus,  Cheilodipterus. .  .  .  521 

chrysopterus,  Scarus 753 

chrysos,  Carangus 350 

chrysurus,  Chloroscombrus 369 

chrysurus,  Dipterodon 629 

chrysurus,  Glypisodon 705,706 

chrysurus,  Microspathodon 706 

chrysurus,  Ocyurus 515 

chrysurus,  Scomber 369 

chrysurus,  Sparus 515 

cibi,  Caranx 351 

ciliaris,  Alectis 364 

ciliaris,  Angelichthys 765 

ciliaris,  Balistes 793 

ciliaris,  Zeus 363,364 

ciliatus,  Balistes 799 

ciliatus,  Monacanthus 799 

cinereus,  Gerres 589 

cinereus,  Gerres  calif orniensis . .  .  584 

cinereus,  Microspathodon 705 

cinereus,  Mugil 589 

cingulatus,  Pomacanthus 773 

cirratum,  Ginglymostoma 29 

cirratus,  Squalus 29 

Cirrhisomus .811 


INDEX 


1025 


cirrhosa,  Sciaena 613 

cinrhosum,  Lepisoma 935 

Citharichthys 985 

Citharoedus 765 

Citula 361 

clarionis,  Xesurus 786 

clathratus,  Labrax 466 

clepsydra,  Murasna 169 

clepsydralis,  Julis 728 

Cling-fishes 925 

Clupanodon 1 80 

Clupeidae 1 79 

clupeola,  Harengula 183 

coccineus,  Scarus 748 

Coecilophis 153 

coerulea,  Corphysena 739 

coeruleatus,  Acronurus 782 

coeruleoaureus,  Harpe 710,711 

coeruleus,  Acanthurus 782 

coeruleus,  Cyanichthys 831 

coeruleus,  Scarus 739 

Cogrus .  153 

Cokeridia 905 

colias,  Scomber 309 

Colloptilum 969 

colonensis,  Scorpaena 844 

colonensis,  Stellifer 623 

colonus,  Serranus 437 

Colorado,  Lutianus 500 

Colorado,  Lutjanus 500 

Colorado,  Perro 711 

columbianus,  Vomer 366 

comif er,  Achirus 999 

commersonianus,  Lophius. .  101 1,1012 

commersonii,  Carcharhinus 43 

commersonii,  Fistularia 253 

commersonii,  Scomber 321 

commersonii,  Squalus 36 

compar,  Coecilophis 153 

compressus,  Nauclerus 399i4OO 

compressus,  Odontognathus. .  .  .  194 

concatenatus,  Ostracion 805 

concolor,  Abudefduf 703 

concolor,  Chriomitra 321,325 

concolor,  Euschistodus 704 

concolor,  Nexilarius 704 

concolor,  Scomberomorus 325 

concolor,  Thyrsoidea 1 63 

conductor,  Centronotus 399,400 

Conger  Eels 135 

conger,  Leptocephalus 137 

conger,  Muraena 137 

Congermuraena 138 

Congrellus 138 

coniceps,  Muraenesox 142 

Conodon 521 

conorhynchus,  Albula 177,178 

conspersus,  Serranus 458 

constantinus,  Centropomus 423 

constellatus,  Platophrys 978 

corallina,  Narcine 73 

Cordylus 308 


coretta,  Thynnus 315 

coriaceus,  Eleutheractis 479 

corneta,  Fistularia 249 

Cornet-fishes 248 

cornutus,  Cyclichthys 833 

coro,  Sciaena 521 

coroides,  Umbrina 613 

coronata,  Seriola 396 

coronatus,  Halatractus 396 

coronatus,  Serranus 441 

corvinaeforme,  Hsemulon 549 

corvinaeformis,  Pomadasys 549 

Corvula 691 

Coryphasna 405 

Coryphaenidas 405 

cosmopolita,  Micropteryx 369 

cosmopolita,  Seriola 369 

Cossyphus 710 

costalesi,  Smaragdus 88 1 

courtadei,  Seiranus 454 

crassa,  Belone 226 

crebripunctata,  Pteroplatea 87 

Cremnobates 930 

crenulatus,  Peprilus 410 

creolus,  Serranus 436,437 

crescentalis,  Pomacanthus 776 

crestonis,  Acanthurus 782 

crestonis,  Teuthis 782 

cretenses,  Labrus 747 

crinitus,  Blennius 941 

crinitus,  Zeus 363,364 

cristagalli,  Gobius 866 

cristatus,  Blennius 941 

Croakers 610 

crocro,  Pomadasis 556,  559 

crocro,  Pomadasys 559 

crocro,  Pristipoma 559 

croicensis,  Labrus 736 

croicensis,  Scarus 741 

Cromileptes 452 

crossota,  Cokeridia 905,906 

crossotus,  Etropus 992 

crotaphus,  Julis 717,720 

cruentatus,  Labrus 488 

cruentatus,  Petrometopon 441 

cruentatus,  Priacanthus 488 

cruentatus,  Sparus 441 

cruentifer,  Pisodonophis 149 

cruentifer,  Pisoodonophis 149 

crumenophthalmus,  Scomber.  .  .  335 

crumenophthalmus,  Selar 335 

cryptocentrus,  Amphichthys. .  .  .  918 

cryptocentrus,  Batrachus 918 

Cryptoterus 154 

Cryptotomus 733 

crysos,  Caranx 358 

crysos,  Scomber 346,358 

cubae,  Vomer 366 

cubanus,  Epinephelus 461 

cubera,  Lutjanus 499 

cucuri,  Prionodon 41 

cultifrons,  Aluterus 802 


1026 


INDEX 


cultratus,  Xyrichthys 729 

cultriferum,  Pristipoma 559 

culveri,  Trachinotus 381 

cupreus,  Trachinotus 385 

curema,  Mugil 279 

curta,  Anchovia 206 

curtus,  Stolephorus 206 

curtus,  Vomer 366 

curvilineata,  Murenophis 166 

curvus,  Tetrodon 811 

Cusk  Eels 959 

cuspicauda,  Aluteres 802 

Cutlass-fishes 327 

cuvieri,  Caranx 338 

cuvieri,  Centropomus 421 

cyanellus,  Mugilops 271 

Cyanichthys 831 

cyanocephalus,  Halichoeres 716 

cyanocephalus,  Labrus 716 

cyanolene,  Sparisoma 751 

cyanophrys,  Naucrates 400 

cyanophrys,  Psenes 409 

cyanopterus,  Cypselurus 247 

cyanopterus,  Exocoetus 247 

cyanopterus,  Lutianus 499 

cyanopterus,  Mesoprion 499 

cyanostigma,  Julis 717 

cyanostigma,  Pristotis 697 

Cybium 32 1 

Cyclichthys 831 

cyclolepis,  Microgobius 872 

Cyclonarce 72 

cyclopomatus,  Serranus 447 

Cyclopsetta 991 

Cyclospondyli 64 

cylindricus,  Bascanichthys 152 

Cynias 31 

Cynichthys 452 

cynodon,  Mesoprion 499,509 

Cynoscion 653 

cyprinaceous,  Chaetodon 608 

cyprinoides,  Gobius 866 

cyprinoides,  Lophogobius 866 

Cypselurus 245 

Dactylagnus 904 

Dactylopterus 859 

Dactyloscopidae 902 

Dactyloscopus 902 

Daector 919 

daspilotus,  Pisodonophis 148 

daspilotus,  Pisoodonophis 148 

Dasyatis 76 

Dasybatidae 75 

Dasybatus 75 

dasycephalus,  Arius 106 

dasycephalus,  Galeichthys 106 

daubentonnii,  Caranx 350 

davidsonii,  Monacanthus 799 

Decapterus. 333 

Decaptus 393 

decimalis,  Serranus 447 


jdeclivifrons,  Abudefduf 701 

'declivifrons,  Euschistodus 700 

declivifrons,  Vomer 367 

declivis,  Trachurus 337 

decoratus,  Promicropterus 482 

decoris,  Doratonotus 731 

defenspr,  Caranx 350 

dekayi,  Scomber 309 

delalandii,  Clinus 938 

delalandii,  Malacoctenus 938 

deliciosa,  Corvina 679 

deliciosa,  Sciaena 679 

dendritica,  Ancylopsetta 971*972 

dendritica,  Pseudorhombus 972 

denegatus,  Pomacentrus *  706 

dentatus,  Lutjanus 499 

dentex,  Corvina 688 

dentex,  Odontoscion 688 

dentex,  Scomber 349 

dephilippii,  Vexillif er 963 

depressa,  Belone 229 

depressa,  Fistularia 251 

Derichthyidae 132 

Desmoiselles 693 

diadema,  Scarus 737 

Dialommus 934 

Diaphasia 963 

Diapterus 591 

diego,  Scomber 309 

dimidiatus,  Julis 716 

Diodon 826 

Diodontidae 826 

Diplectrum 472 

Diplodus 580 

diplotaenia,  Bodianus 712 

diplotaenia,  Harpe 712 

Dipterodon 414 

dipus,  Microdesmus 954,956 

Discopyge 74 

dispilus,  Halichceres 721 

dispilus,  Platyglossus 721 

distinctum,  Sparisoma 749 

distinctus,  Scarus 749 

Dog-fishes 64 

dolfyn,  Coryphaena 406 

doliata,  Gymnomuraena 170 

Doliodon 377 

Dolphins 405 

dominicensis,  Vomer 366 

dorado,  Coryphaena 406 

Doratonotus 730 

dorsale,  Haemulon 536 

dorsalis,  Carangoides 362 

dorsalis,  Citula 362 

dorsalis,  Galeorhinus 32 

dorsalis,  Halatractus 398 

dorsalis,  Hypsypops 705 

dorsalis,  Microspathodon 705 

dorsalis,  Mustelus 32 

dorsalis,  Seriola 398 

dorsalis,  Umbrina 614 

Dorsuarius 605 


INDEX 


1027 


Doijrhamphus 261 

dovii,  Anisotremus 563 

dovii,  Appgon 417 

dovii,  Arius 101 

dovii,  Gymnothorax 165 

dovii,  Muraena 165 

dovii,  Opisthopterus 192 

dovii,  Pristigaster 192 

dovii,  Pristipoma 563 

dowi,  Thalassophryne 919,920 

dowii,  Diapterus 584 

dowii,  Leptarius 101 

dowii,  Selenaspis 101 

drummondii,  Echiodon 963 

dubius,  Carapus 963 

dubius,  Fierasfer 963 

dubius,  Serranus 438 

ductor,  Gasterosteus 399 

ductor,  Naucrates 400 

dumerili,  Apionichthys 1003 

dumerili,  Caranx 394,397 

dumerili,  Polycirrhus 671,672 

dumerili,  Seriola 394,397 

dumerilii,  Paralonchurus 672 

duperrey,  julis 728 

duperrey,  Thalasspma 728 

duplex,  Orthopristis 544 

dussumieri,  Seriola 400 

Eagle  Rays 88 

Echeneididae 895 

Echeneis 896 

Echidna 170 

echidna,  Muraena 170 

echinus,  Diodon 827 

Echiodon 963 

Ectenias 405 

edentulus,  Cetengraulis 214 

edentulus,  Engraulis 212,214 

effulgens,  Larimus 685 

ehrenbergi,  Carcharias 41 

eigenmannia,  Anchovia 205 

eigenmanni,  Galeichthys 108 

ekala,  Caranx 350 

Elacate 403 

Elagatis 393 

Elapsopsis 153 

Elasmobranchii 29 

elater,  Malthe 1018 

elater,  Zalieutes 1018 

Elattarchus 628 

elattura,  Netuma 115 

elatturus,  Arius 115 

elcapitanense,  Siphostoma 260 

elcapitanense,  Syngnathus 260 

Electric  Rays 72 

electricus,  Rhinobatus 69 

elegans,  Hsemulon 529,534 

elegans,  Kyphosus 607 

elegans,  Mesoprion 517 

elegans,  Pimelepterus 607 

Eleutheractis 479 


elliotti,  Diabolichthys 94 

elongata,  Alosa 189 

elongata,  Anchovia 198 

elongata,  Aphoristia 1006 

elongata,  Umbrina 667 

elongatum,  Sparisoma 757 

elongatus,  Eucinostomus  calif.  .  586 

elongatus,  Megalops 1 74 

elongatus,  Menticirrhus 667 

elongatus,  Pomadasys 551 

elongatus,  Symphurus 1006 

Elopidae 173 

Elops 175 

emarginatus,  Lobotes 493,511 

Emblemaria 952 

emblematicus,  Gobius 871,872 

emblematicus,  Microgobius ....  872 

embryx,  Gerres 598 

emmelane,  Tachysurus 123 

encseomus,  Gobionellus. 884 

encaeomus,  Gobius 884 

Enchelyopus 328 

Engraulidas 195 

engymen,  Cetengraulis 213 

Engyophrys 975 

Enneacentrus 438 

ensifera,  Bairdiella 632 

ensifera,  Sciaena 632 

ensiferus,  Centropomus.  .430,431,433 

ensis,  Sphyraena 285 

entemedor,  Narcine 74 

Enypnias. 887 

Ephippidas 760 

ephippium,  Chastodon 765 

epicurorum,  Chromis 402 

Epinephelus 452 

epsetus,  Esox 204 

equatorialis,  Raja 71 

Eques 676 

equestris,  Balistes 792 

equestris,  Mustelus 34 

Equietus. 676 

erebus,  Muraena 163 

erethizon,  Arothron 823 

ericymba,  Sciaena 627 

ericymba,  Stellifer 627 

erithrurus,  Caranx 35° 

Erotelis. . 864 

erythrinoides,  Scarus 748 

erythrogaster,  Serranus 455 

esculentus,  Carangus 35° 

Esloscopus 9°2 

etheostoma,  Aboma 887 

Etropus 992 

Eucinostomus 582 

Euctenogobius 874 

Eulamia 36 

eumorphus,  Chatcessus 187 

Eumycterias 825 

Eupomacentrus 697 

europaeus,  Trachurus 337 

euryplectrum,  Diplectrum 474 


1028 


INDEX 


Euscarus. . 747 

Euschistodus 700 

Eustomatodus. 333 

Evapristis 544 

evermanni,  Citharichthys 989 

evermanni,  Diapterus 594 

evermanni,  Synodus 219 

evermanni,  Tachysurus 126 

Evermannia 891 

evolans,  Trigla 848 

Evorthodus 869 

excisus,  Doryrhamphus 261 

exigua,  Anchovia » . .  200 

Exoccetidas 241 

Exocoetus 244 

Exonautes 244 

expansum,  Ostracion 806 

exsiliens,  Exocoetus 244 

Eyrchthys . 736 

faber,  Chaatodipterus 761 

faber,  Chaetodon •» . . .  761 

falcatus,  Caranx 341 

falcatus,  Scomber 377 

falcatus,  Sparus 711 

falcatus,  Trachinotus 378 

falcipinnis,  Carcharias 46 

falcipinnis,  Elacato. .  .  . , 404 

f allax,  Caranx 354 

fallax,  Trachurus. 338 

fanfarus,  Naucrates 399,4OO 

fasciatum,  Cheilotrema 679 

fasciatus,  Achirus 1001 

fasciatus,  Carcharias 56 

fasciatus,  Genyanemus 672 

fasciatus,  Hemirhamphus 237 

fasciatus,  Ovoides 823 

fasciatus,  Prionodes 470 

fasciatus,  Scomber 394 

fasciatus,  Trachynotus 383 

f  asciculare,  Diplectrum 472 

fascicularis,  Hippocampus 255 

f ascicul'aris,  Serranus 473 

feliceps.  Galeichthys 104 

Felichthys 96 

f elis,  Felichthys 99 

felis,  Silurus 99 

fernandinus,  Squalus 65 

Fierasfer 963 

Fierasferidae 962 

filamentosus,  Argyriosus 373 

filamentosus,  Breviceps 96 

filamentosus,  Felichthys 96 

filamentosus,  Hemirhamphus.  .  .  234 

filamentosus,  Monacanthus 797 

filamentosus,  Scomber 364 

filicornis,  Blennius 941 

fimbriata,  Raja 94 

fimbriatus,  Achirus 1001 

fimbriatus,  Hemirhombus 991 

fimbriatus,  Solea 1001 

fischeri,  Solea 996 


Fistularia 248 

Fistulariidae 248 

fistularis,  Flagellaria 250 

flava-purpurea,  Perca 452 

flavescens,  Mesoprion 510 

flavescens,  Scarus 758 

flavescens,  Sparisoma 755,758 

flavicauda,  Hyporthodus 452,458 

flaviguttatum,  Lythrulon 528 

flaviguttatus,  Haemulon 528 

flavilatus,  Pomacentrus 698 

flavipinnis,  Pristigaster 189 

flavo-casruleus,  Holocentrus.  .  .  .  452 

flavofasciata,  Echidna 172 

flavolineatum,  Hagmulon 531 

flavolineatus,  Diabasis 531 

flavolineatus,  Sargus 578 

flavoscriptus,  Gymnothorax ....  166 

flavo-vittatis,  Upeneus 306 

fleurieu,  Ostorhinchus 414 

florealis,  Platyglossus 718 

Flounders 970 

fluviatilis,  Achirus 1002 

Flying  Fishes 241 

Flying  Gurnards 859 

Fodiator , . . .  243 

fodiator,  Tylosurus 225 

foetens,  Salmo 215,220 

f oetens,  Synodus 220 

fonsecensis,  Achirus 996 

fonsecensis,  Solea 996 

forcipatus,  Balistes 793 

formosa,  Guentheridia 822 

formosa,  Perca. 472,473 

formosum,  Diplectrum 473 

formosum,  Haemulon 532 

formosus,  Anthia 533 

formosus,  Serranus 473 

formosus,  Tetrodon 821,822 

forskali,  Glossodus 178 

fosteri,  Sphyraena 285 

fremebundum,  Hagmulon 535 

freminvillii,  Myliobatis ,  91 

Frog-fishes 1009 

frondosus,  Scarus 759 

frondosum,  Sparisoma 759 

frontalis,  Caranx 352 

fronto,  Carcharias 38 

fuerthii,  Arius 126 

f ulgens,  Corvina 632 

f uliginosus,  Balistes 792 

fuliginosus,  Synbranchus 131 

f ulvum,  Ginglymostoma 30 

fulvus,  Cephalopholis 438 

fulvus,  Labrus 438 

funebris,  Gymnothorax 163 

Furcaria 694 

furcatus,  Cypselurus 247 

furcatus,  Exocoetus 245,247 

f urcif er,  Paranthias 436 

f urcif er,  Serranus 436 

furnieri,  Micropogon 618 


INDEX 


1029 


furnieri,  Umbrina %  .  618 

furthii,  Arius .  125 

f iirthii,  Caranx 344 

fiirthii,  Corvina 622 

furthii,  Ilisha 189 

fiirthii,  Pellona 189 

fiirthii,  Pristipoma 568 

fiirthii,  Sphoeroides 821 

fiirthii,  Stellifer 622 

fiirthii,  Tetrodon 821 

f usca,  Echeneis 896 

fuscomaculata,  Echidna 172 

fuscus,  Acronurus 785 

fuscus,  Dialommus 934.935 

fuscus,  Hemirhombus 988 

fuscus,  Mapo 868 

fuscus,  Pomacentrus 699 

fuscus,  Trachinotus 379 

fuscus,  Xyster 605 

gabbi,  Centropomus 423 

gaimardianus,  Mugil 279 

Galeichthys 104 

Galeocerdo 56 

Galeorhinidae 31 

Galeorhinus 31 

galeus,  Serranus 450 

Gallichthys 363 

gallichthys,  Carangoides 364 

gallinula,  Monacanthus 797 

Callus 363 

gallus,  Zeus 363,372 

gardenii,  Centronotus 404 

gardenii,  Stromateus 411 

garmani,  Stolephorus 214 

Garmannia 889 

Gastrophysus 809 

Genicanthus 777 

gentilis,  Blennius 942 

Genytremus 560 

geometricus,  Anchisomus 816 

geometricus,  Diodon 833 

geometricus,  Tetrodon 817 

geometricus,  Zeus 373 

gerania,  Belone 226 

Gerhardinus 889 

Germo 315 

germon,  Scomber 315,316 

Gerres 589 

Gerridas , .  .  581 

gibbosa,  Perca 540 

gibbosus,  Calliodon 540 

gibbosus,  Holocentrus 566 

gibbus,  Histrio 1010 

gibbus,  Lophius 1010 

gibbus.  Scarus 736 

gigas,  Ephippus 761 

gigas,  Perca 452 

gigas,  Seriola 397 

gilberti,  Batrachoides 914 

gilberti,  Citharichthys 987 

gilberti,  Congrellus 139 


gilberti,  Kirtlandia 268 

gilberti,  Menidia 268 

gilberti,  Stolephorus 214 

gilli,  Hyporhamphus 240 

gilli,  Pomacentrus 698 

Ginglymostoma 29 

giorna,  Cephaloptera 94 

girardi,  Caranx 360 

girardi,  Pseudojulis 725 

gladius,  Tylosurus 226 

glaucoides,  Trachynotus 383 

glaucus,  Chaetodon 382 

glaucus,  Squalus 36 

glaucus,  Trachinotus 382 

Glossichthys 1004 

Glossodus 178 

Glyphisodon 700 

Gnathanodon 360 

Gnathobolus 193 

Gnathypops 900 

Gobies 861 

Gobiesocidae 925 

Gobiesoi 925 

Gobiidae 861 

Gobioides 894 

Gobionellus 876 

Gobiosoma 891 

godeffroyi,  Percichthys 466 

goldmani,  Batrachoides 913 

gomesii,  Ophichthus 159 

gomesii,  Ophisurus 159 

Gonenion 402 

Gonionarce 72 

Gonioperca 466 

Gonocephalus 860 

goodei,  Myliobatis 90 

goodei,  Paralonchurus 673 

goodei,  Urolophus 84 

goodei,  Urotrygon 84 

Gorgasia. 133 

gracilis,  Diapterus 584 

gracilis,  Hippocampus 256 

gracilis,  Scomber 309 

gracilis,  Umbrina 670 

Grammateus 572 

Grammichthys 994 

grandicassis,  Arius 122 

grandicornis,  Scorpaena 838 

grandis,  Pomadasis 559 

grandisquamis,  Choerojulis 718 

grandisquamis,  Upeneus 305 

grandoculatus,  Centropomus.  .  .  421 

granulatus,  Amorphocephalus. .  .  729 

granulosa,  Pristis 66 

greenei,  Porichthys 924 

grex,  Scomber 309 

grisea,  Unibranchapertura 131 

griseus,  Labrus 493, 511 

griseus,  Lutianus 511 

griseus,  Mesoprion 500 

gronovii,  Gobius 407,408 

gronovii,  Nomeus 408 


1030 


INDEX 


gronovii,  Ostracion 807 

grossidens,  Engraulis 211 

Grunters 520 

guacamaia,  Pseudoscarus 744 

guacamaia,  Scarus 744 

Guacamaya 744 

guachancho,  Sphyraena 285 

guaguanche,  Sphyraena ...  f ....  286 

guanabana,  Erizo 830 

guara,  Caranx 349 

guara,  Scomber 349 

guasa,  Serranus 450 

guatemalensis,  Arius no 

guatemalensis,  Citharichthy ....  988 

guatemalensis,  Galeichthys no 

guativere,  Bodianus. 439 

guaza,  Labrus 452 

Guentheridia 821 

guineensis,  Hemirhombus 980 

guineensis,  Ostracion 807 

Guitar  Fishes 67 

gula,  Eucinostomus 582 

gula,  Gerres 582 

gulosus.  Cathorops 130 

gulosus,  Tachisurus 130 

gulula,  Eucinostomus 582 

Gunards 484 

giintheri,  Hoplopagrus 491,492 

guntheri,  Mugil 275,277 

guntheri,  Sphyraena 286 

guttata,  Limamuraena 168 

guttata,  Perca 450,461 

guttatus,  Balistes 793 

guttatus,  Dasybatus 78 

guttatus,  Enneacentrus 441 

guttatus,  Epinephelus 461 

guttatus,  Johnius 444,446 

guttatus,  Labrus 714 

guttatus,  Lutianus 503 

guttatus,  Mesoprion 503 

guttatus,  Promicrops 450 

guttatus,  Raja 78 

guttulatus,  Hippocampus 255 

Gymneleotris 863 

Gymnogaster 328 

Gymnomuraena 170 

Gymnosarda 310 

Gymnothorax 161 

gymnura,  Trygon 78 

gyrans,  Querimana 676 

Haemulidae 520 

Haemulon 529 

Halatractus 394 

Halichoeres 714 

Haliperca 472 

halleri,  Urobatis 86 

halleri,  Urolophus 86 

hamiltoni,  Brachioptilon 94 

Hammer-headed  Sharks 57 

harengulus,  Eucinostomus 584 

harengus,  Myxus. 273,279 


Harpe 710 

harroweri,  Isopisthus 650 

Harvest-fishes 407 

hastata,  Pastinaca 80 

hastatus,  Dasybatus. 80 

hastatus,  Gobionellus 876 

havana,  Gerres 590 

havana,  Xystaema 590 

havannensis,  Muraena 154 

heckeli,  Peloria 977 

helena,  Muraena 161,168 

Heliases 694 

Hemibranchii 248 

Hemicaranx 339 

hemiodon,  Carcharias 50 

Hemirhamphidae 232 

Hemirhamphus 233 

Hemirhombus 980 

Hemistoma 736 

Hemiulis 714 

henlei,  Carcharias 49 

hentz,  Blennius 942 

Hepatidas 780 

hepatus,  Acanthurus 784 

hepatus,  Teuthis , 784 

hepsetus,  Atherina 263 

heptacanthus,  Cheilodipterus .  .  .  402 

heraldi,  Tetrodon 816 

heringi,  Centropomus 423 

Herpetoichthys 153 

Herrings 179 

herzbergi,  Silurus 101 

heterodon,  Haemulon 531 

heteropygus,  Caranx 339.341 

heterurus,  Cypselurus 247 

heterurus,  Exoccetus 247 

hexacanthus,  Dipterodon 414 

hians,  Ablennis 231 

hians,  Belone 231 

hians,  Haemulon 534 

hildebrandi,  Opsanus 917 

hirmulus,  Mustelus 34 

Hippocampus 255 

hippocampus,  Syngnathus 255 

Hippoglossina 973 

hippos,  Caranx 346,350,356 

hippos,  Scomber 334 .350 

hippuroides,  Lepimphis 405 

hippurus,  Coryphaena 405,406 

hispidus,  Balistes 797 

hispidus,  Monacanthus 797 

hispidus,  Tetraodon 823 

Histrio 1010 

histrio,  Lophius „ 1010 

histrio,  Scorpasna 840 

hiulcus,  Engraulis 204 

Holacanthus 777 

holacanthus,  Diodon 829 

holbroocki,  Aluterus 802 

Holocanthus 812 

Holocenthrus 296 

Holocentridse 293 


INDEX 


1031 


Holocentrus 296 

holocyaneos,  Sparus 740 

homei,  Oxybeles 963 

Homesthes 947 

homonymus,  Diapterus 582 

Homoprion 619 

hopkinsi,  Xesurus 786 

hoplomystax,  Scarus 751 

Hoplopagrus 491 

Hoplunnis 143 

horrens,  Prionotus 851,852 

hospes,  Mugil 279 

humeralis,  Chaetodon 770 

humeralis,  Gobiesox 926 

humeralis,  Harengula 184 

humeralis,  Julis 717 

humeralis,  Paralabrax 466 

humeralis,  Serranus 466 

humeri-maculatus,  Sargus 578 

humile,  Pristipoma 557 

humilis,  Pagellus 572 

Hypocaranx 360 

hypophthalrnus,  Arius 129 

hypophthalmus,  Cathorops 129 

Hypoplectrus 467 

Hypoprion 50 

Hypoprionodon 50 

Hyporhamphus 236 

Hyporthodus 452 

Hyposerranus 452 

hypostoma,  Mobula 93 

hypostomus,  Cephalopterus ....  93 

hypostomus,  Mobula 93 

Hypspblennius 942 

hystrix,  Diodon 826,827 

Ilisha 189 

illecebrosus,  Stellifer 625 

imberbe,  Ophidion 963 

imiceps,  Ophioscion 643 

imiceps,  Sciaena 643 

immaculata,  Amia 178 

immaculata,  Coryphaena 406 

immaculata,  Fistularia 253 

immaculatum,  Cybium 322 

immaculatus,  Synbranchus 131 

imperialis,  Esox 224 

impetiginosus,  Serranus 457 

implutus,  Tetrodon 823 

impressus,  Conger 139 

incilis,  Mugil 277,278 

indefatigabile,  Otophidium 961 

indica,  Narcine 72 

indica,  Scyris 363 

indicus,  Naucrates 400 

inermis,  Mesoprion 514 

infernalis,  Muraena 163 

ingens,  Hippocampus 256 

Iniomi 215 

inornatus,  Oligoplites 391 

insculpta,  Netuma 116 

insculptus,  Arius 116 


insolatus,  Heliases 694 

insulae-sanctas-crucis,  Scarus.  ...  741 

insularum,  Carcharias 44 

Insuridae 63 

intermedius,  Hippoglossus 983 

intermedius,  Microdesmus 957 

intermedius,  Saurus 217 

intermedius,  Synodus 217,218 

internasalis,  Julis 716 

interruptus,  Anisotremus 568 

interruptus,  Genytremus 568 

ionthas,  Cerdale 958,959 

iridinus,  Caranx 357 

Iridio 714 

irradians,  Serranus 473 

irroratus,  Monacanthus 800 

Isaciella 544 

ischana,  Anchovia 201,203 

ischanus,  Stolephorus 203 

Isesthes 942 

Isogomphodon 36 

isoodon,  Mesoprion 501 

Isopisthus 650 

Isospondyli 173 

isthmensis,  ^Elurichthys 97 

isthmensis,  Scorpsena 842 

itaiara,  Promicrops 450 

itaiara,  Serranus 450 

jacobaea,  Echeneis 898 

jacobus,  Myripristis 293,294 

jaculidens,  Ancylodon 647,648 

jaguana,  Harengula 184 

jaguar,  Bodianus 297 

jamaicensis,  Cynoscion 662 

jamaicensis,  Otolithus 662 

januaria,  Umbrina 670 

Jaw-fishes 899 

jeniguano,  Haemulon 523 

jenkinsi,  Synodus 221 

jocu,  Anthias 508 

jocu,  Lutianus 508 

johnii,  Ceratoptera , 94 

jonesii,  Gerres 584 

jordani,  Galeichthys 109 

jordani,  Gymnothorax 167 

jordani,  Lutianus 495 

jordani,  Lycodontis 167 

jordani,  Neomaenis 495 

jordani,  Tachisurus 109 

juba,  Perca 596 

Julidio 725 

Kathetostoma 909 

kendalli,  Sphoeroides 819 

kennedyi,  Trachinotus 380 

kessleri,  Arius 119 

kessleri,  Netuma 119 

kirschii,  Halichoeres 720 

Kirtlandia 268 

klunzingeri,  Achirus 997 

klunzingeri,  Solea 997 


1032 


INDEX 


kneri,  Pristipoma 545 

koelreuteri,  Scomber 400 

kurra,  Caranx 333 

kurroides,  Decapterus 333 

Kyphosidae 604 

Kyphosus 605 

labraciforme,  Pristipoma 557 

Labridae 709 

labridum,  Hasmulon 566 

labriformis,  Epinephelus 459 

labriformis,  Serranus 452,959 

Labrisomus 935 

Labroperca 452 

Labrosomus 936 

Lacertinus,  Synodus. 220 

lacertus,  Gobius 867 

lacertus,  Scomber 309 

lacrimosus,  Scarus 751 

lactea,  Plagusia 1004 

Lactophrys 804 

Isevigatus,  Chironectes 1010 

laevigatus,  Lagocephalus 8n 

lasvigatus,  Tetraodon 811 

lasvis,  Balistes 803 

laevis,  Galeorhinus 34 

laevis,  Galeus 34 

laevis,  Mustelus 31 ,34 

laevis,  Uranoscopus 909 

Lagocephalus 809 

lalandi,  Seriola 397,398 

lalandii,  Carcharias 53 

lalandii,  Scoliodon 53 

lamarckii,  Holacanthus 777 

lamia,  Carcharias 36,43 

lamiella,  Carcharias 43 

Lamiopsis 36 

lamprurus,  Hypoplectrus 468 

lamprurus,  Serranus 468 

Lampugus 405 

Lancelets 27 

lanceolatus,  Chaetodon 676 

lanceolatus,  Gobius 878 

lanceolatus,  Homoprion 619 

lanceolatus,  Limax 27 

Larimus 683 

latepictus,  Serranus 447 

lateralis,  Scarus 753 

laterna,  Tetrodon 823 

laticaudus,  Carcharias 51 

laticeps,  Aetobatus 89 

laticeps,  Atherina 264 

laticlavius,  Xesurus 786 

latifasciatus,  Epinephelus 452 

latifrons,  Citharichthys 984 

latifrons,  Syacium 984 

latimaculatus,  Ophisurus 150 

latirostris,  Aetobatus 89 

latus,  Caranx 354,356 

latus,  Scomber 369 

Laurida 215 

leachianus,  Thynnus 311 


lebranchus,  Mugil 275 

leei,  Symphurus 1007 

lefroyi,  Diapterus 588 

lefroyi,  Gerres ,. 587 

lefroyi,  Ulaema. 588 

Lefroyia 963 

leiarchus,  Cynoscion .  .  , 659 

leiarchus,  Otolithus 659 

leionothos,  Holocanthus 812,817 

lemniscatus,  Engraulis 204 

lemniscatus,  Osmerus 222 

lentiginosa,   Murasna 169 

lentiginosus,  Galeichthys 1 1 1 

lentiginosus,  Tachisurus 1 1 1 

leopardinus,  Antennarius 1014 

Lepidomegas 394 

Lepimphis 405 

Lepisoma 935 

Lepophidium 960 

Leptecheneis 896 

Leptocardii 27 

Leptocephalidae. 135 

Leptocephalus 137 

Leptofierasf er 964 

Lepturus 328 

lepturus,  Caranx 354 

lepturus,  Trichiurus 328 

Les  spheroides 8n 

lethopristis,  Orthopristis 544 

leucas,  Carcharias 43 

leuciscus,  Pomadasys. 551 

leuciscus,  Pristipoma 551 

leucopus,  Rhamphoberyx 295 

leucorhynchus,  Rhinobatus 68 

leucurus,  Caranx 344 

leucurus,  Hemicaranx 344 

leucurus,  Nauclerus 400 

liberiensis,  Balistes 793 

libertate,  Opisthonema 188 

libertatis,  Meletta 188 

lignus,  Hypsoblennius 946 

ligulata,  Bibronia 1004 

Limamuraena 168 

limbatus,  Carcharhinus 41 

limbatus,  Carcharias 41 

limbatus,  Oxyodontichthys 159 

limbatus,  Saurus 222 

linea,  Mesoprion 510 

linearis,  Porobronchus 963 

lineata,  Coryphasna 729 

lineata,  Echeneis ,  895 

lineata,  Unibranchapertura 131 

lineatus,  Achirus 994,998 

lineatus,  Calliodon 735, 74 1 

lineatus,  Diapterus 602 

lineatus,  Doryichthys 261 

lineatus,  Doryrhamphus 261 

lineatus,  Eques 677 

lineatus,  Gerres 599 

lineatus,  Microgogon 616 

lineatus,  Mugil 275 

lineatus,  Phtheirichthys 895 


INDEX 


1033 


lineatus,  Pleuronectes 998 

Lophogobius 866 

Loro 744 

loro,  Scarus 739 

loubina,  Perca 425 

loxias,  Prionotus 855 

lucasanum,  Thalassoma 727 

lucasanus,  Julis 727 

lucida,  Anchovia 205 

lucidus,  Stolephorus 205 

lucretise,  Aboma 887 

lucretiae,  Gobius 887 

lugubris,  Caranx 352 

lumbricus,  Muraena 131 

luna,  Caranx 349 

lunaris,  Tetraodon 809 

lunata,  Echeneis 896 

lunulatus,  Galeorhinus 33 

lunulatus,  Mustelus 33 

lunulatus,  Serranus 461 

lutescens,  Chetodon 773 

luteum,  Haemulon 534 

Lutianidae 490 

Lutianus. . 493 

lutianus,  Lutianus 493 

Lycengraulis 211 

lychnus,  Myriopristis 294 

Lycodontis 162 

lyricus,  Gobionellus 880 

lyricus,  Gobius 880 

Lythrulon , 528 

macgregori,  Halichoeres 722 

mackayi,  Siphostoma 257 

mackayi,  Syngnathus 257 

Mackerels 307 

Mackerel  Sharks .  63 

maclura,  Raja 87 

macracanthus,  Pomadasys 552 

macracanthus,  Priacanthus 487 

macrocephala,  Clupea 178 

macrocephalus,  Clinus 933 

macrocephalus,  Gonocephalus. .  .  860 

macrocephalus,  Mnierpes 933 

macrocerus,  Monacanthus 800 

Macrodon 646 

macrolepidota,  Anchovia 210 

macrolepidota,  Engraulis 210 

macrolepidotus,  Engraulis 196 

macrophthalma,  Clupea 184 

macrophthalmus,  Sardinella.  ...  184 

macropoma,  Centropristis 475 

macropoma,  Diplectrum 475 

macrops,  Calamus 575 

macrops,  Corvina 691 

macrops,  Corvula 691 

macrops,  Hippoglossina 973 

macrops,  Opisthopterus 193 

macrops,  Pristigaster 193 

macropterus,  Balistes 795 

macropterus,  Thynnus 316 

macropthalmus,  Scomber 309 


macrostomum,  Haemulon 535 

macrourus,  Alopias 62 

macrurus,  Leptofierasfer 964 

macrurus,  Oxyodontichthys .  .154,159 

maculata,  Belone 231 

maculata,  Perca 456 

maculatus,  Apogon 415 

maculatus,  Balistes 794>795 

maculatus,  Canthidermis 795 

maculatus,  Cogrus 153 

maculatus,  Galeus 56 

maculatus,  Monoprion 414 

maculatus,  Mullus 303 

maculatus,  Ostracion 807 

maculatus,  Rhypticus 482 

maculatus,  Scomber 309,324 

maculatus,  Scomberomorus  ....  324 

maculatus,  Upeneus 303 

maculatus,  var.  a,  Diodon 830 

maculicauda,  Orthostoechus .  .525,526 

maculiferus,  Platophrys 977 

maculipinnis,  Isogomphodon. .  .  .  41 

maculipinnis,  Monochir 998 

maculipinnis,  Monochirus 994 

maculo-cinctus,  Sarothrodus. .  .  .  771 

maculosa,  Harengula 184 

maculosa,  Thalassophryne 919 

maculosum,  Haemulon 543 

maculosus,  Epinephelus 461 

maculosus,  Nomeus 408 

maculosus,  Pleuronectes 974 

macutiferus.  Pleuronectes 977 

maderaspatensis,  Priacan- 

thichthys 452 

magnioculis,  Ophichthus 157 

magnioculis,  Scytalophis 157 

mahogoni,  Lutianus 504 

mahogoni,  Mesoprion 504 

major,  Gallichtys 363,364 

malabarica,  Elacate 404 

Malacoctenus 938 

malcoti,  Carcharias 50 

malleus,  Zygaena 59 

Malthe 1016 

manatia,  Raia 94 

manglicola,  Gobionellus 883 

manglicola,  Gobius 883 

mango,  Polynemus 289 

Manta 94 

Mapo 867 

mapo,  Gobius 867 

maracanthum,  Pristipoma 552 

Marcgravia 918 

Marcgravicthys 918 

marcgravii,  Aulastome 250 

marcgravii,  Coryphasna 406 

marcgravii,  Rhinobatus 69 

margaritatus,  Batrachus 923 

margaritatus,  Porichthys 923 

margaritifer,  Serranus 458 

margaritiferum,  Haemulon 528 

marginalis,  Epinephelus 452 


1034 


INDEX 


marginalia,  Hippocampus 255 

marginatus,  Bodianus 446 

marginatus,  Carangus 356 

marginatus,  Caranx 339i356 

marginatus,  Chaetodon 701 

marginatus,  Chromis 695 

marginatus,  Heliasis 695 

marginatus,  Hemirhamphus .  .  .  .  234 

marina,  Vulpecula , .  . . .  62 

marinus,  Dasybatus 75 

marinus,  Mugilops 272 

marinus,  Silurus 96,99 

marmoratus,  Gobiesox 926 

marmoratus,  Sphceroides 813 

marmoratus,  Synbranchus 131 

marmoratus,  Tetrodon 813 

marmoratus,  Tirus 215 

martinicensis,  Menticirrhus ....  670 

martinicensis,  Umbrina 670 

martinicensis,  Vomer 366 

martinicus,  Upeneus 306 

massachusettensis,  Monocanthus  798 

matejuelo,  Amphiprion 297 

mathematicus,  Tetrodon 81 1 

matoides,  Acanthurus 784 

mauriceii,  Argyriosus 373 

mauritii,  Chaetodon , 701 

mauritii,  Eleotris 408 

mauritii,  Grammistes 569 

maxillosus,  Opisthognathus 900 

maximus,  Lachnolaimus 709 

mazatlana.  Seriola 395 

mazatlanum,  Haemulon 526 

mazatlanus,  Achirus 1000 

mazatlanus,  Solea 1000 

mcclellandi,  Bregmaceros 969 

mediterraneus,  Scomber 319 

mediterraneus,  Thynnus 314 

medius,  Centropomus 421 

medius,  Peprilus 413 

medius,  Stromateus 413 

medusicola,  Caranx 355 

meeki,  Eucinostomus 587 

megacephalus,  Calamus 572,575 

Megaderus 1 70 

megalepis,  Doratonotus 730,731 

megalodon,  Pristis 66 

megalops,  Thalassophryne 921 

Megapnalus 925 

melampygus,  Caranx 353 

melanochira,  Belone 226 

melanopoma,  Polynemus 292 

melanopsis,  Diodon 830 

melanopterum,  Pristipoma 566 

melanopterus,  Balistes 795 

melanopus,  Arius 124,127 

melanothos,  Holocanthus 8n 

melanura,  Perca 523,536 

melanurum,  Hasmulon 536 

melanurus,  Lutjanus 516 

Menephorus 438 

Menidia.  .  266 


menidia,  Argentina 204 

menidia,  Atherina 266 

menisorrah,  Carcharias 36 

menisorrah,  Carcharinus 48 

Menticirrhus 666 

mento,  Exocoetus 244 

merus,  Centopristis 462 

Mesoprion 493 

metallica,  Echeneis 896 

mexicanus,  Amblyopus 894 

mexicanus,  Centropomus 423 

mexicanus,  Diapterus 599 

mexicanus,  Gerres 599 

mexicanus,  Mugil 275 

mexicanus,  Saurus 221 

miarcha,  Anchovia 199 

miarchus,  Stolephorus 199 

Microdesmus 954 

microdon,  Gobionellus   879 

microdon,  Gobius 879 

microdon,  Pristis 66 

Microdonpphis 153 

Microgobius 871 

microphthalmum,  Haemulon. .  .  .  540 

Micropogon 616 

microps,  Carcharias 41 

microps,  Nebris 680 

microps,  Otolithus 657 

microps,  Pagellus 572 

microps,  Rhypticus 480 

Micropteryx 394 

micropteryx,  Platysomus 366 

microrrhinos,  Pseudoscarus 744 

Microspathodon 705 

microstomus,  Conger 139 

microstomus,  Etropus 992 

micrura,  Pteroplatea 87 

micrura,  Raia 87 

micrurum,  Syacium 980,98 1 

milberti,  Carcharhinus 38 

milberti,  Carcharias 38 

milneri,  Pagellus 573 

mindii,  Stellifer 626 

mindii,  Syngnathus 261 

minuta,  Arbaciosa 928 

minutus,  Evorthodus 870 

minutus,  Hypsoblennius 943 

minutus,  Sabastes 845 

miraflorensis,  Microgobius 873 

mirum,  Calloptilum 969 

mitchilli,  Argyreiosus 373 

Mnierpes 933 

Mobula 93 

Mobulidae 92 

Moharra 591 

Mojarras. .  . 581 

molestum,  Gobiosoma 891 

mollis,  Pleuronectes 994,1002 

moluccensis,  Apogon 414 

Monacanthidae 796 

Monacanthus 796 

monacanthus,  Plectropoma 464 


INDEX 


1035 


monoceros,  Balistes 80 1 

Monochirus 994 

monophthalmus,  Auchenopterus.  932 

Monoprion 414 

Monosira 683 

Morays 160 

mordax,  Macrodon 648 

mordax,  Sagenichthys 648 

moribundus,  Balistes 793 

moringa,  Gymnothorax 166 

moringa,  Muraena 1 66 

morio,  Epinephelus. .  i 455 

morio,  Serranus 455 

morrhua,  Serranus 452 

morrisi,  Leptocephalus 137 

motta,  Elacate 403,404 

moucharra,  Glyphisodon 700,701 

mucronatus,  Neoconger 144 

mucronatus,  Odontognathus. ...  193 

muelleri,  Lepidomegas 394 

Mugil 273 

Mugilidae 273 

Mugilomorus 175 

Mugilops.  t 271 

miilleri,  Carcharias 41 

Mullets. . 273 

Mullidae 302 

multiguttatum,  Plectropotna. . .  .  464 

multiguttatus,  Alphestes 464 

multilineatum,  Haemulon 534 

multimaculatus,  Diodon 830 

multiradiatus,  Arius 123 

multiradiatus,  Microdesmus ....  958 

mundeola,  Anchovia 208 

mundeola,  Stolephorus 208 

mundus,  Dactylagnus 904 

mundus,  Oligoplites 389 

mundus,  Urolophus 83 

mundus,  Urotrygon 82,83 

Muraena 168 

murasna,  Gymnothorax 161 

Mursenesocidae 141 

Muraenesox 141 

Muraenidce 1 60 

Muraenophis 168 

muricatus,  Odontognathus 193 

mustelus,  Squalus 34 

Mycteroperca 444 

Myliobatidae 88 

Myliobatis 90 

myops,  Salmo 222 

myops,  Saurus 222 

myops,  Trachinocephalus 222 

myriaster,  Rhomboidichthys. .  .  .  977 

Myrichthys 149 

Myridae 145 

Myripristis 293 

Myrophis 145 

mystacinus,  Epinephelus 455 

mystacinus,  Serranus 452,455 

mystes,  Scorpaena 836 

mysticetus,  Cetengraulis 212 


mysticetus,  Engraulis 212 

nalnal,  Sparactodon 402 

Narcaciontidae 72 

Narcine 72 

narinari,  Aetobatus 89 

narinari,  Raja 88,89 

naso,  Anchovia 201 

naso,  Stolephorus 201 

nasus,  Menticirrhus 668 

nasus,  Umbrina 668 

nasuta,  Netuma 112 

nasutus,  Monacanthus 800 

nasutus,  Trachynotus 383 

natalensis,  Mustelus 34 

natator,  Carcharhinus 40 

Nauclerus 399 

Naucrates 399 

naucrates,  Echeneis 896 

naufragium,  Balistes 790 

Nautopaedium 922 

nautopaedium,  Porichthys. .....  923 

Nebris 680 

nebularis,  Platophrys 979 

nebulifer,  Labrax 466 

nebulopunctatus,  Gobius 867 

nebulosus,  Aphoristia 1004 

nebulosus,  Apionichthys 1003 

Needlefishes 223 

Nematistiidas 329 

Nematistius 329 

Nematognathi 95 

neoboracensis,  Fistularia 250 

Neoconger 144 

Neomasnis 493 

nesiotes,  Carcharias 44 

Netuma 112 

Nexilarius 704 

nicaraguensis,  Eulamia 38 

nicholsi,  Halichceres 724 

nicholsi,  Platyglossus.  . . 724 

niger,  Scomber 403 

niger,  Zeus 372 

nigra,  Emblemaria 953 

nigra,  Narcine 73 

nigrescens,  Centropomus 426 

nigrescens,  Dorsuarius 605 

nigrescens,  Scarus 743 

nigrescens,  Symphurus. .  .  .  < .  .  . .  1004 

nigricans,  Acanthurus 785 

nigricans,  Cypselurus 247 

nigricans,  Exocoetus 247 

nigriculus,  Acronurus 783 

nigriculus,  Serranus 457 

nigripinnis,  Rhypticus 482 

nigripinnis,  Rypticus 482 

nigrirostris,  Chaetodon 769 

nigrirostris,  Sarothrodus 769 

nigritus,  Epinephelus 462 

nigritus,  Serranus 462 

niphonius,  Priacanthus 489 

nitens,  Ariosoma 140 


1036 


INDEX 


nitens,  Ophisoma 140 

nitidum.Pristipoma 551 

niveatus,  Epinephelus 458 

niveatus,  Serranus 452,458 

nivepes,  Emblemaria 952 

nobilis,  Conodon 521 

nobilis,  Perca 521 

nocturna,  Echidna 171 

nocturnus,  Poecilophis 171 

Nomeus 407 

notata,  Atherina 266 

notata,  Megalops 187 

notatus,  Porichthys 922,923 

notospilus,  Pseudojulis 723,725 

Novacula 729 

novacula,  Coryphasna 729 

noveboracensis,  Naucrates 400 

nove-boracensis,  Vomer 366 

novemf asciatus,  Lutianus 497 

novemmaculatus,  Diodon 830 

noyesi,  Scarus 738 

nuchalis,  ^Elurichthys 97 

nuchalis,  Scarus 740 

nuchifilis,  Blennius 941 

nuchipinnis,  Clinus 936 

nuchipinnis,  Labrisomus 936 

nudus,  Gerhardinus 889 

Nurse  Sharks. 29 

nuttalli,  Exocoetus 245 

oblongus,  Gobius 894 

obscurus,  Carcharhinus 46 

obscurus,  Squalus 46 

obtusum,  Hasmulon 566 

obtusus,  Galeocerdo 56 

obtusus,  Scarus 740 

obvelatus,  Prionodon 46 

occidentalis,  Chorinemus 390 

occidentalis,  Monacanthus 799 

occidentalis,  Myripristis 295 

occidentalis,  Nebris 68 1 

occidentalis,  Oligoplites 387 

oceanicus,  Gobionellus 877 

oceanicus,  Gobius 877 

ocellaris,  Blennius 940 

oceHaris,  Platessa 974 

ocellata,  Muraenophis 156 

ocellatus,  Chaetodon 771 

ocellatus,  Gymnothorax 168 

ocellatus,  Hippoglossus 981 

ocellatus,  Ophichthus 156 

ocellatus,  Platophrys 979 

ocellatus,  Pleuronectes 977 

ocellatus,  Rhombus 979 

oculatus,  Balistes 794,795 

oculatus,  Myrichthys 150 

oculatus,  Pisoodonophis 150 

Ocyurus 515 

ocyurus,  Sectator 609 

ocyurus,  Pimelepterus 609 

Odontognathus 193 

Odontoscion. ........                 .  688 


oerstedii,  Selene 375 

Ogcocephalidae 1016 

Ogcocephalus 1016 

Ogilbia 965 

oglina,  Megalops 186,187 

oglinum,  Opisthonema 187 

Ognichodes 894 

ojanco,  Mesoprion 504 

olfax,  Serranus 444 

oligodon,  Polynemus 290 

Oligoplites 387 

olisthostoma,  Gerres 595 

olisthostomus,  Diapterus 595 

ommata,  Discopyge 74 

ommata,  Opisthognathus 900 

omostigma,  Genypterus 961 

opalescens,  Lythrulon 528 

opalina,  Julis 717 

opercularis,  Polynemus 292 

opercularis,  Stolephorus 213 

opercularis,  Trichidion 292 

Ophichthus 153 

Ophichthyidae 147 

Ophichthys 154 

Ophidiidas 959 

Ophioscion 636 

ophioscion,  Corvina 641 

ophis,  Muraena 153 

Ophisternon 131 

Opisthognathidae 899 

Opisthognathus 900 

Opisthonema 186 

opisthophthalmus,  Conger 139 

Opisthopterus 191 

Opistognathus 900 

oppositus,  Monacanthus 798 

Opsanus 917 

orbicularis,  Diodon 831 

Orbidus Sir 

orbignyana,  Pellona 189 

orbitarius,  Pagellus 475 

ordinatus,  Epinephelus 459 

Orectolobidae 29 

orientalis,  Pelamys 318 

ornatissimu^  Chaetodon 765 

ornatissimus,  Herpetoichthys . .  .  153 

ornatus,  Achirus 1004,1005 

ornatus,  Balistes 803 

ornatus,  Micropogon 675 

Ornichthys 848 

orqueta,  Chloroscombrus 370 

0rstedii,  Selene 375 

Orthopristis 544 

Orthostcechus 525 

Orycnus 3H.3I5 

osbeck,  Trachinus 457 

Osbeckia 8or 

oscitans,  Sciagna 621 

oscitans,  Stellifer 62 1 

oscula,  Netuma 120 

osculus.  Arius 120 

osseus,  Tholichthys 766 


INDEX 


1037 


Ostorhinchus 414 

Ostraciidas 804 

othonopterus,  Cynoscion 654 

Otophidium 961 

otrynter,  Caranx , 362 

ouatalibi,  Serranus. 438,439 

ovale,  Syacium 982 

ovalis,  Hemirhombus 982 

ovatus,  Trachynotus 379 

oviceps,  Ostracion 806 

Ovoides 823 

Oxybeles 963 

oxybrachius,  Scarus 748 

Oxyodontichthys 154 

oxyptera,  Corvina 437 

oxyrhynchus,  Carcharias 36 

oxyrhynchus,  Tetrodon 825 

oxyurus,  Nomeus 408 

pachycephalus,  Lagocephalus . . .  810 

pachycephalus,  Tetrodon 810 

pachylepis,  Atherinichthys 269 

pachylepis,  Kirtlandia 269 

pachylepis,  Thyrina 266 

Pachynathus 787 

pacifica,  Belone 227 

pacific!,  Anisotremus 564 

pacific!,  Batrachoides 912 

pacific!,  Batrachus 912 

pacifici,  Conodon 564 

pacificum,  Diplectrum 477 

pacificus,  Argyreiosus 374 

pacificus,  Larimus 687 

pacificus,  Lobotes 484 

pacificus,  Mesoprion 497 

pacificus,  Psenes 409 

pacificus,  Thynnus 316 

pacificus,  Tylosurus 227 

pagtulus,  Hemirhombus 980,983 

Pagrus 576 

pagrus,  Pagrus 576 

pagrus,  Sparus 576 

pallida,  Echeneis 899 

paloma,  Trachinotus 386 

Palometa 410 

palometa,  Palometa 410 

palometa,  Peprilus 412 

palometa,  Stromateus 412 

pampanus,  Trachinotus 377,385 

panamense,  Pristipoma 554 

panamensis,  ^Elurichthys 97 

panamensis,  Anchovia 207 

panamensis,  Atherinella 265 

panamensis,  Azevia 990 

panamensis,  Bascanichthys 151 

panamensis,  Caranx 361 

panamensis,  Citharichthys 990 

panamensis,  Engraulis 207 

panamensis,  Euctenogobius ....  874 

panamensis,  Evermannia 893 

panamensis,  Felichthys 97 

panamensis,  Menticirrhus 669 


panamensis,  Muraena 161 

panamensis,  Odontognathus. ...  194 

panamensis,  Parapsettus 763,764 

panamensis,  Pellona 189 

panamensis,  Petrometopon 443 

panamensis,  Pomadasys 554 

panamensis,  Pristigaster ,  194 

panamensis,  Rabula 161 

panamensis,  Serranus 443 

panamensis,  Solea 996 

panamensis,  Umbrina .  669 

pannosa,  Scorpasna 839 

Papagallos 329 

papillosum,  Syacium 983 

papillosus,  Pleuronectes 983 

Paradiodon 826 

paradiseus,  Polynemus 289 

paradoxa,  Garmannia 890 

paradoxus,  Gobius 889 

Paralabrax 66 

Paralichthys 974 

parallelus,  Centropomus 423 

Paralonchurus 671 

Paranthias 436 

Parapomacentrus 697 

Parapsettus 763 

Paratractus 346 

pardalis,  Monacanthus 800 

pardalis,  Ophichthys 150 

Pareques 676 

Parexocoetus 244 

parezii,  Platypodon 47 

pargus,  Mesoprion 499 

parra,  Diabasis 539 

parra,  Hasmulon 539 

parras,  Albula 178 

parraianus,  Monacanthus 800 

Parrot-fishes 732 

paru,  Chaetodon 775 

paru,  Peprilus 411 

paru,  Pomacanthus 773,775 

paru,  Stromateus 411 

Parupeneus 303 

parva,  Anchovia 202 

parva,  Echeneis 898 

parvipinnis,  Ancylodon 650 

parvipinnis,  Isopisthus 650 

passer,  Holacanthus 778 

pastinaca,  Raia 76 

patao,  Gerres 600 

patatus,  Julis 717 

pavo,  Chastodon 697 

Pear-fishes 962 

pectinatus,  Centropomus 421 

pectinatus,  Pristis 66 

pectinifer,  Clinus 935,936 

pectoralis,  Harpe 712 

pectoralis,  Nematistius 329,330 

Pediculati 1009 

pedimacula,  Centropomus 421 

pelagicus,  Callionymus 860 

pelagicus,  Scomber 405,406 


1038 


INDEX 


pelagicus,  Syngnathus 256 

pelamides,  Scomber 310 

pelamis,  Gymnosarda 310 

pelamis,  Scomber •.  . .  .  310 

pelamitus,  Scomber 319 

Pelamys . 317 

pelamys,  Scomber , 319 

pelamys,  Thynnus 310 

Pellona 189 

Peloria 977 

penna,  Calamus 572 

penna,  Pagellus 572 

pensacolag,  Harengula 184 

pentacanthus,  Bodianus 297 

pepo,  Scarus 736 

Peprilus 410 

percellens,  Raja 69 

percellens,  Rhinobatus 69 

periche,  Diapterus 603 

periche,  Gerres 603 

perottzti,  Pristis 66 

perrico,  Pseudoscarus 745 

perrico,  Scarus 745 

perspicillaris,  Tetraodon 823 

peruvianus,  Diapterus 597 

peruvianus,  Galeichthys .  105 

peruvianus,  Gerres 597 

petersi,  Paralonchurus 671 

petersi,  Paralonchus 676 

petimba,  Fistularia 251,252 

Petrometopon 441 

petrosus,  Mugil 279 

petus,  Cybium 327 

phlebotomus,  Acanthurus 785 

phoxocephalus,  Cynoscion 660 

Phtheirichthys 895 

Physogaster 809 

picturata,  Alutera 803 

picturata,  Seriola 338 

picturatus,  Gymnothorax 166 

picturatus,  Trachurus 338 

pictus,  Sciades 103 

pictus,  Torpedo 73 

picuda,   Sphyragna 283,284 

picudilla,  Sphyrsena 287 

piersoni,  Hypsoblennius 945 

pigmentarius,  Apogon 418 

pigmentarius,  Monoprion 418 

pilicornis,  Blennius 941 

pilosa,  Solea 1000 

Pimelepterus 605 

pinima,  Pristipoma  acara 569 

pinnimaculatus.  ^Elurichthys. ...  100 

pinnimaculatus,  Felichthys 100 

pinnulata,  Seriola 393 

pinta,  Murasna 169 

pintita,  Muraena 165 

Pipe-fishes 254 

piquitinga,  Engraulis 204 

piraaca,  Monacanthus 799 

pirapeda,  Dactylopterus 859,860 

Pisodonophis 147 


pisquetos,  Caranx 358 

pisquetus,  Caranx 346 

pixanga,  Serranus 457 

Plagiusa 1004 

Plagusia 1 004 

plagusia,  Pleuronectes 1004,1005 

plagusia,  Symphurus 1005 

planiceps,  Arius 117 

planiceps,  Netuma 117 

Platophrys 977 

platophrys,  Citharichthys 986 

Platygaster 189 

Platypodon 36 

platypogon,  Arius 113 

platypogon,  Netuma 113 

platyrhynchus,  Eulamia 43 

Plecopodus 894 

plectrodon,  Porichthys 922 

Plectrypops 301 

pleii,  Hemirhamphus 234 

Pleuracromylon 31 

Pleuronectidae 970 

plumbeus,  Carcharias 38 

plumieri,  Diapterus 598 

plumieri,  Gerres 598,600 

plumieri,  Mugil 275 

plumieri,  Scisena 52 1 

plumieri,  Scomber 335 

plumieri,  Scomberomorus .  . .  .321,323 

plumieri,  Scorpaena 835 

plumieri,  Tetrodon 815 

plumierianus,  Caranxomorous. .  .  337 

plumierii,  Chaetodipterus 760,761 

plumierii,  Hsemulon 532 

plumierii,  Labrus 532 

plumierii,  Polydactylus 289 

pneumatophorus,  Scomber 309 

Poecilocephalus 153 

Poecilophis 170 

poecilopus,  Myripristis 296 

poecilopus,  Rhamphoberyx .  .  .293,296 

poeyi,  Engraulis 211 

poeyi,  Halichoeres 720 

poeyi,  Hemirhamphus 237 

poeyi,  Lycengraulis 211 

Polipturus 321 

politus,  Tetraodon 816 

poloosoo,  Caranx 361 

Polycirrhus 671 

Polyclemus 671 

Polydactylus 289 

polygonius,  Acanthostracion. .  .  .  807 

polylepis,  Balistes 790 

polylepis,  Scorpasna 845 

polynema,  Parapomacentrus. .  .  .  697 

Polynemidae 288 

Polynemus 289 

polyspilos,  Rhombus 971 

Pomacanthodes 772 

Pomacanthus 772 

Pomacentridae 693 

Pomacentrus 697 


INDEX 


1039 


Pomadasys 547 

Pomataprion 705 

Pomatomidce 401 

Pomatomus 402 

Pompilus 399 

pompilus,  Thynnus 400 

pondiceriana,  Elacate 404 

Porcupine  Fishes 826 

porcus,  Scorpasna 833 

Porgies 571 

Porichthys 922 

Porobronchus > .  .  963 

porosissimus,  Batrachus 922 

porosissimus,  Porichthys 922 

porosus,  Carcharhinus 49 

porosus,  Carcharias 49 

postica,  Echeneis 898 

powellii,  Balistes 793 

prasdatorius,  Cestreus 658 

praedatorius,  Cynoscion 658 

prayensis,  Upeneus 303 

Priacanthichthys 452 

Priacanthidae 486 

Priacanthus 487 

prieto,  Lutjanus 497 

principis,  Antennarius 1015 

principis,  Chironectes 1015 

principis,  Julis 717 

Prionodes 470 

Prionodon 36 

Prionotus 848 

Pristidae 65 

Pristis 65 

pristis,  Squalus 65 

Pristocantharus 544 

Pristotis 697 

probatocephalus,  Sparus 577 

proboscideum,  Monacanthum. .  .  803 

proboscideus,  Chaenomugil 281 

proboscideus,  Mugil 281 

producta,  Anchovia 210 

productum,  Pristipoma 559 

productus,  Engraulis 210 

productus,  Eucinostomus 588 

prof undorum,  Leptophidium. . .  .  960 

Promicrops 450 

prorates,  Lepophidium 960 

prorigera,  Ariosoma 140 

prorigerum,  Ophisoma 140 

prospinosum,  Holocentrum 301 

Prospinus 463 

proxima,  Seriola 397 

Psenes 409 

Pseudobythites 968 

pseudogula,  Eucinostomus 584 

pseudogula,  Gerres 584 

pseudo-hispanica,  Sardinia 180 

pseudohispanicus,  Clupanodon. .  180 

Pseudojulis 725 

Pseudopriacanthus 489 

Pseudorhombus 971 

Pseudoscarus 744 


Pseudupeneus 303 

psittacinus,  Serranus 470 

psittaculus,  Labrus 717 

psittacus,  Coryphaena 729 

psittacus,  Scarus 735 

psittacus,  Xyrichthys 729 

Pteromylaeus 91 

Pterophryne 1010 

Pterophrynoides 1010 

Pteroplatea 86 

puella,  Plectropoma 467 

Puffers 808 

pulcherrimus,  Balistes 787 

pullus,  Cantherines 800 

pullus,  Monacanthus 800 

puncta,  Furcaria 694 

punctata,.Alutera 802 

punctata,  Gorgasia 133 

punctata,  Muraena 166 

punctata,  Opisthognathus 901 

punctata,  Perca 438 

punctata,  Trigla 848,850 

punctatissimus,  Canthigaster .  .  .  825 

punctatissimus,  Ophioscion 644 

punctatissimus,  Tetrodon 825 

punctatus,  Balistes 793 

punctatus,  Caranx 334 

punctatus,  Decapterus 334 

punctatus,  Diodon 827 

punctatus,  Monacanthus 800 

punctatus,  Myrophis 145,146 

punctatus,  Prionotus 850 

punctatus,  Prionurus 786 

punctatus,  Squalus 29,55 

punctatus,  Trachinus 456 

punctatus,  Upeneus 304 

puncticeps,  Cryptopterus ....  154,160 

puncticeps,  Ophichthus 160 

puncticulatus,  Chilomycterus . .  .  832 

punctipinnis,  Ayresia 695 

punctulata,  Perca 438 

punctulatus,  Hippocampus 255 

punctulatus,  Scarus 737 

punctulatus,  Squalus 29 

purpureus,  Labrus 726 

pyrrhovinctum,  Thalassoma. .  .  .  728 

quadrangularis,  Selene 761 

quadratus,  Zeus 761 

quadricorne,  Ostracium 808 

quadricornis,  Ostracion 805,807 

quadrigutta,  Pomacentrus 705 

quadrilineatum,  Haamulon.  .  .523,524 

quadrimaculatus,  Diodon 830 

quadripennis,  Salarias 951 

quadripunctatus,  Scomber 311 

quadrispinosus,  Scarus 739 

quadrocellatus,  Ancylopsetta .  .  .    971 

quaican,  Echeneis 896 

quatuordecimlaminatus,  Echeneis  899 

Querimana 273 

querna,  Azevia 991 


1040 


INDEX 


querna,  Cyclopsetta 991 

quiebra,  Lichia 390 

quiescens,  Prionotus 857 

quinquecinctus,  Pomacanthus. .  .  773 

quinquef  asciatus,  Serranus 450 

quinquelineatum,  Haemulon ....  524 

quinquemaculata,  Raia 89 

Rabdophorus 765 

Rabirubia 514 

rabirubia,  Anthias 515 

Rabula. 161 

Rachycentridae 403 

Rachycentron 403 

Rachycentrum 403 

radiale,  Diplectrum 775,477 

radialis,  Serranus .472,475 

radians,  Epinephelus 473 

radians,  Sparisoma 750 

radians,  Scarus 751 

radiatus,  Halichceres 717 

radiatus,  Labrus 714,717 

Raizero 493 

Raja 71 

Rajidae 70 

rammelsbergii,  Mugil 275 

ramosum,  Pristipoma 559 

Ramularia 971 

raphidoma,  Belone 226 

raphidoma,  Tylosurus 226 

rascacio,  Scorpaena 835 

rastralis,  Anchovia 209 

rastralis,  Stolephorus 209 

rathbuni,  Paralonchurus 674 

rathbuni,  Polycirrhus 674 

rayneri,  Galeocerdo 56 

rectifraenum,  Pomacentrus 698 

ref ulgens,  Oligoplites 392 

regalis,  Otolithus 653 

regalis,  Scomber 321,323 

regalis,  Scomberomorus 323 

remifer,  Isopisthus 651 

remiger,  Ophisurus 156 

Remora 897 

remora,  Echeneis 897,898 

remora,  Remora 898 

Remoras 895 

Remorina 897 

Remoropsis 897 

remotus,  Carcharhinus 47 

remotus,  Carcharias 47 

remotus,  Serranus 455 

reticularis,  Anchisomus 817 

reticulata,  Hemistoma 736 

reticulata,  Thalassophryne 920 

reticulatus,  Cynoscion 66 1 

reticulatus,  Diodon 831 

reticulatus,  Otolithus 661 

retropinnis,  Microdesmus 955 

retrospinis,  Holocentrum 301 

retrospinis,  Plectrypops 301 

Rhamphoberyx 293 


Rhegma 478 

Rhinesomus 804 

Rhinobatidse 67 

Rhinobatos 67 

Rhinobatus 67 

rhinobatus,  Raja 67 

Rhinoscion 679 

rhodopus,  Trachinotus 383 

rhodopus,  Trachynotus 382,383 

rhodospilus,  Gobiesox 926 

rhomaleum,  Sparisoma 754 

rhombeus,  Diapterus. 593 

rhombeus,  Gerres 591,592 

rhomboides,  Acanthinion.  .  .  .377,379 

rhomboides,  Chaetodon 378 

rhomboides,  Hemicaranx 345 

Rhomboidichthys 977 

Rhomboplites 517 

Rhombus 410 

ricardi,  Mesoprion 504 

richardi,  Caranx 354 

richardi,  Hemirhamphus 237 

rijgersmasi,  Ocyurus 516 

rim,  Scomber 361 

rimator,  Bathystoma 523 

risso,  Alpismaris 215 

rivoliana,  Seriola 396 

robalito,  Centropomus 430 

Robalos 419 

roberti,  Hemirhamphus .  .  237,239,240 

roberti,  Hyporhamphus 239 

rocheanus,  Thynnus 313 

rochei,  Scomber 312,313 

Rock-fishes 833 

rodo,  Pristipoma 560,569 

ronchus,  Bairdiella. . 633,634 

ronchus,  Corvina 634 

rondeletii,  Carcharodon 63 

rondeletii,  Exonautes 245 

rondeletii,  Exoccetus 245 

rosaceus,  Mesoprion 501 

roseus,  Cryptotomus 733.734 

rostrata,  Albula 178 

rostrata,  Anguilla 134 

rostrata,  Muraena 134 

rostratus,  Gymnothorax 1 66 

rostratus,  Scarus 744 

rostratus,  Tetrodon . 825 

rostratus,  Zeus 373 

rotundatus,  Balistes 794 

rotundatus,  Canthidermis 794 

rousseau,  Syngnathus 258 

ruber,  Apogon 414 

ruber,  Bodianus 507 

ruber,  Bodianus  fulvus 439 

ruber,  Caranx 357 

ruber,  Coregonus 220 

ruber,  Epinephelus 445 

ruber,  Mycteroperca 445 

ruber,  Scomber 357 

rubigenes,  Batrachus 918 

rubropunctatus,  Salarias 951 


INDEX 


1041 


Rudder-fishes 604 

rufipinnis,  Exoccetus 245 

rufipinnis,  Exonautes 245 

ruf us,  Batistes 795 

rufus,  Bodianus 711 

rufus,  Labrus 711 

rugifer,  Ophichthus 156 

rupestris,  Serranus 446 

Rupiscartes 948 

ruppelii,  Monacanthus 800 

ruscarius,  Prionotus 850 

russula,  Scorpaena 843 

Rypticus 479 

sabanensis,  Hippoglossina 972 

sabina,  Trygon 77 

sabinus,  Dasybatus 77 

Sagenichthys 646 

sagitta,  Amblyopus 869 

sagitta,  Tylosurus 229 

sagittula,  Euctenogobius 879 

sagittula,  Gobionellus 879 

Salarias 951 

Salarichthys 949 

Salema 577 

saliens,  Oligoplites 390 

saliens,  Scomber 390 

salmoneus,  Esox 220 

saltans,  Chorinemus 390 

saltator,  Hemirhamphus 235 

saltator,  Scomberoides 390 

saltator,  Temnodon 402 

saltatrix,  Perca 402,608 

saltatrix,  Pomatomus 402 

sanctas  crucis,  Pseudoscarus .  .  .  .  741 

sanctae-luciae,  Corvula 692 

sanctae-marthas,  Vomer 366 

sanctae-petri,  Vomer 366 

sancti-laurentii,  Engyophrys    975,976 

Sand  Star-gazers ,  .  902 

sanguineus,  Antennarius 1013 

sanguineus,  Pseudobythites ....  968 

sanguineus,  Sicyases 926 

saponaceus,  Anthias 479,480 

saponaceus,  Rypticus 480 

Sarda 317 

sarda,  Sarda 319 

sarda,  Scomber 317.319 

sardina,  Harengula 183 

sardina,  Sardinella 183 

Sardinella 181 

Sardinia 180 

sargoides,  Chaetodon 701 

Sargus 580 

sargus,  Sparus 580 

Sarothrodus 765 

sarra,  Cybium 326,327 

saturnus,  Amblodon 679 

Saurus. . 215 

saurus,  Elops .  .  . 175,176 

saurus,  Oligoplites 390 

saurus,  Salmo 215 


saurus,  Scomber 387,390 

saurus,  Trachurus 336 

savanna,  Murasna 143 

savanna,  Murasnesox 143 

Sawfishes 65 

saxatilis,  Abudefduf 701 

saxatilis,  Chastodon 700,701 

say,  Dasybatus 77 

say,  Raja 77 

scaber,  Antennarius 1012 

scaber,  Centropomus 433 

scaber,  Chironectes 1012 

scabra,  Trinectes 1002 

scapularis,  Orthopristis 545 

scapularis,  Tylosurus 230 

scapus,  Balistes 797 

Scaridae 732 

Scartes 951 

Scartichthys 951 

Scarus 735 

Schistorus 452 

schlegelii,  Orcynus 315 

schmardae,  Dasybatus 81 

schmardae,  Trygon 8 1 

schmidtii,  Hoplunnis 143 

schoepfii,  Alutera 802 

schcepfii,  Balistes 802 

schranki,  Hsemulon 536,538 

Sciadeichthys 103 

Sciaena 679 

Sciaenidae 610 

sciera,  Sciaena 642 

scituliceps,  Synodus 221 

sciurus,  Haemulon 533 

sciurus,  Sparus 529,533 

Scoliodon 51 

Scomber 308 

Scomberomorus 321 

Scombridae 307 

scombrus,  Scomber 308 

scops,  Gnathypops 900 

scops,  Opisthognathus 900 

Scorpsena 833 

Scorpaenidae 833 

Scorpaenodes 845 

scripta,  Alutera 803 

scriptus,  Balistes 801,803 

scudderii,  Haemulon 542 

scutatus,  ^Elurichthys 97 

scutum,  Achirus, 995 

scutum,  Solea 995 

Scyris 363 

Sea  Basses 434 

Sea  Devils 92 

Sebastopsis 845 

Sectator 609 

sectatrix,  Kyphosus 608 

secundo-dorsalis.Thynnus 315 

seemanni,  Arius 107 

seemanni,  Galeichthys 107 

Selar 335 

Selenaspis 101 


1042 


INDEX 


Selene 3?i 

sellicauda,  Epinephelus 459 

sellif  er,  Halichceres 722 

semicinctus,  Julis 714 

semif asciatus,  Serranus 466 

semiluna,  Sparus 515 

seminudus,  Eleotris 863 

seminudus,  Enypnias 888 

seminudus,  Gobius 887,888 

seminudus,  Gymneleotris 863 

semiruber,  Labrus 711 

semispinous,  Caranx 337 

senticbsus,  Balistes 794 

Sergeant-fishes 403 

Seriola 394 

Seriolichthys 393 

serra,  Gonenion 402 

Serranidas 434 

serrata,  Fistularia 252 

serratus,  Naucrates 400 

serrifer,  Conodon 521 

serrula,  Priacanthus 490 

serrula,  Pseudopriacanthus 490 

setapinnis,  Vomer 366 

setapinnis,  Zeus 366 

setifer,  Argyriosus 373 

setifer,  Monacanthus 797,798 

setipinnis,  Argyreiosus 366,367 

setipinnis,  Vomer 366,367 

setosus,  Mugil 280 

sexcornutus,  Ostracion 807 

sex-decim  lamellata,  Echeneis. .  .  899 

sexf asciatum,  Haemulon 543 

sexmaculatus,  Diodon 830 

sicana,  Cerna 462 

sicula,  Pimelepterus  bosci  var. .  .  608 

Sicyases .  926 

Sicyogaster 926 

sierita,  Tylosurus 228 

sierra,  Scomberomorus 324 

Sigmurus 636 

signatus,  Microgobius 871 

sigm'fer,  Chatoessus 187 

Siluridse 95 

Silversides 262 

similis,  Haemulon ,  . .  .  534 

simillimus,  Gerres 589 

simondsi,  Galeichthys 108 

simulus,  Ophioscion 637 

simus,  Menticirrhus 668 

sinaloae,  Paralichthys 974 

Siphostoma 256 

Skates 70 

skib,  Pomatomus . 402 

sloanei,  Scomber 315 

sloani,  Leiobatus 85 

smaragdus,  Eleotris 864,865 

smaragdus,  Erotelis 865 

smaragdus,  Gobionellus 882 

smaragdus,  Gobius. 882 

Smecticus / 479 

Snappers 490 


snyderi,  Hemirhamphus 240 

snyderi,  Hyporhamphus 240 

snyderi,  Peprilus 413 

sobra,  Mesoprion 501 

sogo,  Holocentrus 296 

sohal,  Chaetodon 781 

sohar,  Chaetodon 781 

solandri,  Acanthocybium 326 

solandri,  Cybium .  .  , 326 

solea,  Caranx 349 

soleaeformis,  Rhombus 983 

Soleidae 993 

Soleotalpa 1003 

Soles 993 

somnolentus,  Lobotes 485 

sonnerati,  Opistognathus 900 

soporator,  Bathygobius 867 

soporator,  Gobius 867 

sordidus,  Chaetodon 700 

Spade-fishes 760 

spadiceus,  Centmrophis 153 

Sparactodon 402 

Sparidas 571 

Sparisoma 747 

speciosus,  Gnathanodon 361 

speciosus,  Scomber 360,361 

spectrum,  Lophius 1012 

spengleri,  Sphoeroides 815 

spengleri,  Tetrodon 811,812,815 

spet,  Sphyraena 287 

Spheroides 811 

Sphoeroides 811 

Sphyraena 283 

sphyrasna,  Esox >  .  .  .  .  283 

sphyrasnarum,  Echeneis 895 

Sphyrasnidae 282 

Sphyrna 57 

spilopterus,  Citharichthys. .  .  .987,988 

spilotopterygius,  Balistes 793 

spinarella,  Gasterosteus 859 

spindens,  Scarus 733 

spinifer,  Engraulis 207 

spinif era,  Anchovia 207 

spinosissimus,  Diodon 830 

spinosus,  Centronotus 404 

spinosus,  Chilomycterus 832 

spinosus,  Diodon 832 

spinosus,  Trachinotus 379 

spixianus,  Saurus 221 

spixii,  Argyreiosus 373 

Squalidae 64 

squalidum,  Sparisoma 755 

squalidus,  Scarus 755 

squalipeta,  Echeneis 898 

Squalus 64 

squamipinnis,  Cynoscion 655,656 

squamipinnis,  Gerres 589 

squamipinnis,  Otolithus 656 

squamosus,  Trachurus 359 

Squirrel-fishes 293 

stahli,  Monosira 686 

Star-gazers 906 


INDEX 


•  1043 


starksi,  Menidia 267 

starksi,  Stolephorus 203 

starri,  Pomadasys 559 

stearnsii,  Scorpaena 837 

steindachneri,  Arius 127 

steindachneri,  Haemulon 537 

steindachneri,  Tachysurus 127 

stellatus,  Caranx 353 

stellatus,  Tetraodon 809 

Stellifer 619 

stellifer,  Bodianus 619 

Stelliferus 619 

stellio,  Perca 456 

Stephanolepis 797 

stigmaticus,  Gobionellus 882 

stigmaticus,  Smaragdus 882 

Sting  Rays 75 

stipes,  Atherina 264 

stirurus,  Chloroscombrus 370 

stolifera,  Clupea 182 

stolifera,  Sardinella 182 

stolzmanni,  Belone 228 

stolzmanni,  Cynoscion 663 

stolzmanni,  Otolithus 663 

stolzmanni,  Tylosurus 228 

strabo,  Ophioscion 640 

stratus,  Monacanthus 800 

striata,  Alausa 184 

striata,  Perca 524 

striatura,  Bathystoma 524 

striatus,  Anthias 4  "3o 

striatus,  Blennius 944 

striatus,  Bodianus 509 

striatus.  Chaetodon 765,768 

striatus,  Epinephelus 460,473 

striatus,  Hypsoblennius 944 

strigatus,  Antennarius .  .  1014 

strigatus,  Holacanthus 778 

Stromateidae 407 

suareus,  Caranx 334 

subarcuatum,  Haemulon 532 

suborbitale,  Holocentrum 300 

suborbitalis,  Holocentrus 300 

subtruncatus,  Tylosurus 229,230 

subulatus,  Orcynus 316 

succincta,  Seriola 400 

sucklii,  Squalus 65 

sueurii,  Coryphaena 406 

Sufflamen 787 

sumichrasti,  Cicharichthys 987 

Surgeon-fishes 780 

surinamensis,  Anisotremus 566 

surinamensis,  Batrachus.  .911,915,916 
surinamensis,  Batrachoides .  .915,916 
surinamensis,  Holocentrus.. .  .484,485 

surinamensis,  Lobotes 484,485 

surinamensis,  Lutianus 566 

Surmullets 302 

sutor,  Blepharis 364 

Syacium 980 

symmetricus,  Caranx 338 

Symphurus 1004 


synagris,  Lutianus 505 

synagris,  Sparus 505 

Synbranchia 131 

Synbranchidae 131 

Synbranchus 131 

Synentognathi 223 

Syngnathidae 254 

Syngnathus 256 

Synodontidae 215 

Synodus 215 

synodus,  Esox 215 

tabacaria,  Fistularia. 248,250 

tabogensis,  Microgobius 873 

taeniatum,  Haemulon •  •  •  •  527 

teeniatus,  Anisotremus 570 

taeniopterus,  Pseudoscarus 737 

tang,  Mugil, 275 

tapeinosoma,  Auxis 313 

Tarpon 1 73 

Tarpons 173 

tartoor,  Pristigaster 191 

tau,  Batrachoides 911,914 

tau,  Gadus 917 

Teleostomi 95 

temmincki,  Carcharias. ........  36 

Temnodon 402 

templei,  Pomadasys 559 

tentabunda,  Trigla 860 

tenuifilis,  Antennarius 1014 

terrae-novse,  Scoliodon 55 

terras-novae,  Squalus 55 

tessellata,  Plagusia 1005 

testudineus,  Spheroides 819 

testudineus,  Sphoeroides 817 

testudineus,  Tetraodon..  .811,817,822 

tetracanthus,  Sparus 511 

Tetragonopterus 766 

Tetraodon 822 

Tetraodontidae 808 

tetraspilus,  Upeneus 305 

textilis,  Salarais 949,950 

textilis,  Salarichthys 950 

thalassina,  Netuma 112 

thalassinus,  Doratonotus 731 

Thalassoma 726 

Thalassophryne 9*9 

thaumasium,  Rhegma 478 

thazard,  Auxis 313 

thazard,  Scomber 3I2»3r3 

Tholichthys 766 

thorbuni,  Mugil 278 

Threadfins 288 

Thresher  Sharks . 62 

Thrissa 180 

thrissa,  Clupanodon 186 

thrissa,  Clupea 180,187 

thrissina,  Clupea 185 

thrissina,  Sardinella 185 

thrissoides,  Megalops 174 

thunnia,  Thynnus 311 

thunnina,  Orcynus 31  * 


1044 


INDEX 


Thunnus 314 

thynnoides,  Auxis 313 

Thynnus 314 

thynnus,  Scomber 314 

thynnus,  Thunnus 314 

tibicen,  Centropyge 777 

tiburo,  Cestracion 60 

tiburo,  Squalus 60 

tigrinus,  Galepcerdo. . 56 

tigrinus,  Myrichthys 149 

Tile-fishes 796 

timlei,  Raja 72 

timucu,  Esox 229 

timucu,  Tylosurus 229 

Tirus 215 

Toad-fishes 910 

toeroe,  Otolithus 653 

Tomicodon 926 

Trachinocephalus 222 

Trachinotus 377 

trachinus,  Salmo 222 

Trachurops. 335 

Trachurus 336 

trachurus,  Caranx 338 

trachurus,  Scomber 336,337 

trachurus,  Trachurus 337 

tractus,  Acanthurus 783 

transversalis,  Synbranchus 131 

triacanthus,  Argyriosus 373 

triacanthus,  Nauclerus 400 

triangularis,  Pachynathus 787 

Trichidion 289 

Trichiuridae 327 

Trichiurus 328 

Trichoderma 797 

trichodon,  Mugil 276 

Trichonotus 175 

tricolor,  Chaetodon 777,779 

tricolor,  Engraulis 204 

tricolor,  Holacanthus 779 

tricornis,  Lactophrys 807 

tricornis,  Ostracion 807 

Tricropterus 346 

tricuspidata,  Muraenesox 141 

tricuspidatus.Hyporhamphus  236,237 

tridactylus,  Blennius 948 

tridigitatus,  Dactyloscopus . .  .902,903 

Trigger-fishes. .- 787 

Triglidas 848 

Trigonobatus 76 

trigonum,  Ostracion 806 

trigonus,  Ostracion 804,806 

trilobatus,  Scarus 740 

Trinectes 994 

triourus,  Bodianus. 485 

Triple-tails 483 

triqueter,  Lactophrys 805 

triqueter,  Ostracion 804,805 

triserialis,  Muraenopsis 155 

triserialis,  Ophichthus 155 

Trisotropis 444 

trispinosus.  Scarus 739 


trivittatus,  Grammistes 524 

tropica,  Echeneis 895 

troschelii,  Glyphidodon 701 

troschelii,  Sciadeichthys 103 

troschelii,  Sciades 103 

True  Eels 1 34 

truncatus,  Saurus 222 

Trunk-fishes 804 

Trygon 76 

tschudii,  Discopyge 74 

tuberculata,  Trygon 78 

tudes,  Cestracion 59 

tudes,  Zygaena 59 

turchesius,  Scarus 744 

turgidus,  Tetrodon 815 

tuyra,  Arius ., 128 

tweedliei,  Syngnathus 259 

Tylosurus 224 

Tyntlastes 869 

typicus,  Ophioscion 636,641 

typus,  Rachycentron 403 

ujo,  Dasyatis 76 

Ulaema 588 

umbra,  Sciaena 679 

Umbrina 613 

umbrosa,  Narcine 73 

Umbrula 666 

undecimale,  Haemulon 542 

undecimalis,  Centropomus.  .  .421,425 

undecimalis,  Sciasna 419,425 

undecim-radiatus,  Centropomus.  425 

undulata,  Perca 616 

undulatus,  Micropogon 618 

undulatus,  Ostracion 806 

undulatus,  Rhinobatus 69 

undulatus,  Scomber 309 

undulosus,  Serranus 445 

Unibranchapertura 131 

unicolor,  Hypoplectrus 469 

unicolor,  Perca 469 

unicolor,  Soleotalpa 1003 

unicolor,  Thynnus 310 

unifasciatus,  Hyporhamphus .  237,240 

unimaculata,  Perca 577,578 

unimaculatus,  Archosargus 578 

unimaculatus,  Argyreiosus 366 

uninotatus,  Mesoprion 506 

unionensis,  Centropomus 428 

Upeneus 303 

Upselonphorus 907 

Uranichthys 1 54 

Uranoscopidae 906 

Urobatis 85 

Uropsetta 974 

Urotrygon 82 

ustus,  Callyodon 733 

ustus,  Cryptotomus 733 

vafer,  Myfophis 145 

vagrans,  Chirostoma 268 

vaigiensis,  Gerres 589 


INDEX 


1045 


valenciennesi,  Erotelis 864,865 

valenciennesi,  Smaragdus 882 

vampyrus,  Cephalopterus 94 

variabilis,  Pomacentrus 699 

variegata,  Echidna < . . . .    170 

varius,  Monacanthus 797 

varius,  Serranus 457 

velata,  Chalisoma 792 

velieana,  Atherina 264 

velox,  Carcharhinus 45 

velox,  Sarda 320 

venenosa,  Perca 444 

venosus,  Aluterus 803 

ventralis,  Brosmophycis 966 

ventralis,  Ogilbia 966 

venustus,  Xyrichthys 729 

veras-crucis,  Bairdiella 634 

verany,  Cybium 327 

vermicularis,  Corvina 636,645 

vermicularis,  Ophioscion 645 

vermicularis,  Sciaena 642,645 

vermicularis,  Sparus 505 

vermiculatus,  Xyrichthys 729 

vermiformis,  Neoconger 144 

verres,  Balistes 788 

verres,  Lutjanus 711 

verrilli,  Gymnothorax 165 

verrilli,  Sidera 165 

versicolor,  Elapsopsis 153 

versipunctatus,  Gymnothorax..  .    164 

verticalis,  Echeneis 869 

vespertilio,  Lophius 1016,1017 

vespertilio,  Ogcocephalus 1017 

vetula,  Balistes 787,792 

vexillarius,  Holocentrus 299 

Vexillifer 963 

vicina,  Murenophis 164 

vicinus,  Gymnothorax 164 

vinctus,  Caranx 358 

viola,  Eques 678 

virescens,  Cynoscion 657 

virescens,  Gallus 363,364 

virescens,  Otolithus 657 

virgata,  Coryphaena 406 

virginicus,  Anisotremus 569 

virginicus,  Polynemus 289 

virginicus,  Sparus 560,569 

viridis,  Centropomus 426 

vittata,  Echeneis 896 

vittatus,  Sparus 569 

vittatus,  Synbranchus 131 

vivanet,  Bodianus 511 

vivanus,  Lutjanus 507 

volitans,  Cephalacanthus. ......    860 

volitans,  Expcoetus 244 

volitans,  Trigla 859,860 

Vomer 365 

vomer,  Selene 372,374 

vomer,  Zeus , 371.372 

vomerinus,  Salarias 949.95° 

vulgaris,  Anguilla 134 

vulgaris,  Auxis 313 


vulgaris,  Mustelus 34 

vulgaris,  Pagrus 576 

vulgaris,  Thynnus 314 

Vulpecula 62 

Vulpeculidse 62 

vulpes,  Albula 178 

vulpes,  Esox 177,178 

vulpes,  Squalus 62 

vulpinus,  Squalus 62 

waigensis,  Gerres 591 

woolmani,  Paralichthys 974 

Worm  Eels 145 

Wrasses 709 

wurdemanni,  Gobius 88 1 

xanthops,  Odontoscion 690 

xanthopteron,  Hasmulon 531 

xanthopygus,  Caranx 350 

xanti,  Labrisomus 937 

xanti,  Labrosomus 937 

xanti,  Rhypticus 481 

xanti,  Rypticus 481 

xanti,  Umbrina 615 

xanti,  Xenichthys 518 

xenauchen,  Galeichthys 1 1 1 

Xenichthys 518 

xenisma,  Prionotus 854 

xenops,  Xenichthys.  .  . 518 

Xesurus 786 

Xyrichthys 729 

xyris,  Scorpaenodes 845 

xyris,  Sebastopsis 845 

Xystaema 589 

Xyster 605 

xystrodon,  Sparisoma 751 

yalei,  Ostracion 806 

y-grascum,  Uranoscopus 907 

Zalieutes 1018 

Zalypnus 871 

zebra,  Arbaciosa 927 

zebra,  Gerres 589 

zebra,  Gobiesox 927 

zelotes,  Dactyloscopus 902,903 

zelotes,  Hemicaranx 343 

zephyreus,  Astroscopus 907 

zephyreus,  Pristis 66 

zestocarus,  Stellifer 620 

zestus,  Nebris 681 

zonatus,  Chaetodipterus 762 

zonatus,  Ephippus 762 

Zonichthys 394 

zonifer,  Clinus 94° 

zonif er,  Malacoctenus 940 

zonipectus,  Pomacanthodes     772,776 

zonipectus,  Pomacanthus 776 

zophochir,  Ophichthus 158 

zosterura,  Evermannia 892 

zosterurum,  Gobiosoma 891 

zygaena,  Cestracion 58 

zygaena,  Squalus 57. 5^ 

zysron,  Pristis 66 


HE 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


